KARACHI: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has issued an interim order directing a homoeopathic doctor in Lahore to immediately stop his ‘deceptive’ commercial being aired on various TV channels making absolute claims to treat various diseases.

A press release issued by the CCP on Friday stated that the commission had initiated an inquiry against Al Haaj Dr Mian Liaquat Ali of Liaquat Hospital Lahore after receiving complaints that he was allegedly involved in deceptive marketing practices through television commercial in violation of Section 10 of the Competition Act, 2010.

The CCP also contacted Pakistan Medical and Dental Council and College of Surgeons and Physicians in this regard.

“As per the inquiry report, Mr Liaquat Ali used the term ‘Doctor’ instead of ‘Homeopathic Doctor’ with his name, thus resorting to deceptive marketing practices,” CCP stated. “Moreover, he made absolute claims in his TV commercials that he could cure diseases like hepatitis A, B and C, sugar, obesity, dandruff, and vertigo, guarantee birth of son; and he also offered treatment to people on telephone,” the commission stated.

The CCP release observed that based on the findings of the inquiry report, show cause notices were issued to the respondent. During the hearings, Mr Liaquat Ali’s lawyer assured the commission of making suitable alteration to be made in the TV commercial to address CCP’s concerns, but no revised TV commercial had so far been submitted.

Moreover, since the last hearing the respondent had started airing the TV commercials on other channels in different languages.

Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2015

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