Tech4all group blog

Exposed - Indian Medical or Marketing Association ???

Indian Medical Association(IMA) (http://www.ima-india.org) endorses various products like Eureka forbes aqua guard purifier, dettol etc.

but in IMA website, there is no information about the certificate , tests conducted for Eureka Forbes and other products that are endorsed by IMA.

As per bis.org , the fee for ISI /ISO certification is only around Rs. 10,000 to 20,000.

For Eureka Forbes with Rs.1,107 crore turnover, its not difficult for them to pay Rs.3 crore to Indian Medical Association to get the Endorsement.

Even, IMA endorses PepsiCo's Tropicana pure juices and Quaker Oats in 2008 (for hefty payment of Rs.50 lakhs). However, objection by doctors, the endorsement is later withdrawn.

My Doubts:
1. Why its costs crores for getting IMA endorsement ,whereas ISI / ISO certifications costs in Rs.10,000 only with lab tests?

2. Why IMA did not publish any information about the tests conducted or the certificates issued details in its website.

3. Why I should not think that, these as pay and get endorsement / certifications. What's the need for getting fee in crores?

4. BIS specifies standards, lab test details in its website (for ISI / ISO certifications). Why IMA doesn't provide any such details?


Remember, one of the trusted association which tests purifiers is WQA (Water Quality Association, USA). Only Phillips purifiers and Whirpool purifiers had received the top award WQL Gold seal  award out of all purifier companies in India.

HUL claim of killing 1 crore virus in 1 litre of water is false.
http://www.moneylife.in/article/how-safe-is-your-water-purifier-hul-makes-exaggerated-claims/17029.html

Also, see suspension of IMA President by Indian government.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/mci-suspends-ima-president-secretary/713587/

Sources:
1. Indian Medical Association Endorses Pepsi's Tropicana  -http://www.indiaresource.org/news/2008/1048.html

2. HUL claim of killing 1 crore virus in 1 litre of water is false. http://www.moneylife.in/article/how-safe-is-your-water-purifier-hul-makes-exaggerated-claims/17029.html

3. IMA faces ire for endorsing juice brand. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-05-08/india/27753533_1_ima-pure-juices-indian-medical-association.

to be continued.........................