Paediatrician Sivaranjani faces legal notices from pharma firms over ORS claims
HYDERABAD: A Hyderabad-based paediatrician, Sivaranjani Santosh, has received legal notices from pharmaceutical companies for her campaign against alleged misleading labelling of oral rehydration solutions (ORS).
She has led this campaign for eight years. The companies accuse her of making defamatory statements.
The cease-and-desist notice, issued on March 16, claims her allegations are false. It rejects her charge that companies promote unsafe energy drinks as ORS. The notice also states that the products follow scientific evidence and meet regulatory approvals under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSAI), 2006.
The companies further allege that she filed court cases to gain more followers on social media.
Doctor cites FSSAI orders
In response, Sivaranjani Santosh criticised Johnson & Johnson’s consumer health arm, Kenvue. She said her claims align with orders issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on October 14 and 15, 2025.
In an Instagram video, she questioned the intent behind the legal notice. “How dare you say I dragged you to court? I acted to protect the integrity of ORS and EREZL, not for personal gain,” she said.
Dispute over classification
The dispute focuses on how companies classify and market certain products. The doctor argues that some products do not meet standard ORS requirements. She also claims the marketing may mislead consumers.
The companies, however, insist that their products comply with regulations.
The issue has now sparked legal and public debate. It raises questions about regulatory interpretation, consumer safety, and the role of social media in advocacy.
