Mission Health Multispeciality Physiotherapy Center - Mission Health

Recommendation: Upheld | Medium: Consumer Organization

The ASCI had approached the advertiser for its response in addressing the grievances of the complainant and forwarded the details of the complaint, verbatim, to the advertiser with a request to respond to the same. The advertiser was offered an option to seek an Informal Resolution (IR) of the complaint by modifying or withdrawing the claims in the advertisement, or alternately to substantiate the claims with supporting data. The advertiser was also offered an opportunity for a telecon with the ASCI Secretariat, which they did not avail and submitted their response. The advertiser in their response stated that, “our technical and clinical teams have conducted extensive internal research and compiled outcome-based data demonstrating positive results among patients who have undergone our treatment protocols. While we are confident in the efficacy of our methods, we regret to inform you that we are unable to publicly share individual patient data due to confidentiality obligations”. The ASCI Secretariat requested the advertiser to submit the detailed clinical report and any supporting documentation, assuring them that all information provided would be treated with strict confidentiality. However, the advertiser did not respond within the stipulated timelines. The Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) viewed the print advertisement (in Gujarathi), considered the complaint, and the advertiser’s response. The CCC observed that the claim in question pertains to the "Advanced Nerve Tissue Regeneration Therapy" offered by the advertiser, which gives relief from Diabetic Neuropathy. The CCC noted that the advertiser has not provided independent scientific evidence addressing the therapy’s effectiveness, the stages of diabetic neuropathy at which it may be beneficial, the treatment protocols involved, the mechanism of action, success rates, and any regulatory approvals from the relevant authorities. The CCC further noted that despite the request, the advertiser has not disclosed supporting data referring to confidentiality reasons. In the absence of claim support data, the CCC concluded that the claim (in Gujarathi), as translated in English, “Advanced Nerve Tissue Regeneration Therapy gives relief from Diabetic Neuropathy”, was not substantiated. The claim is misleading by exaggeration and is likely to cause widespread disappointment among consumers. The source and date for the claim is not mentioned in the advertisement. The said claim contravened Chapter I, Clauses 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, and 1.5 of the ASCI Code. This complaint was UPHELD.