Probe ORSL stalls at paediatrics annual meet: Dr Sivaranjani to Centre

Hyderabad: Stating that her resignation from Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) has now been formally accepted, city-based paediatrician Dr Sivaranjani Santosh has urged National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Union ministry of health and family welfare to investigate the continued presence of ORSL promotional stalls at PEDICON, the annual conference of IAP.

In a post on ‘X’, Dr Sivaranjani, who has been pushing regulators to restrict marketing of sugary drinks as oral rehydration solutions (ORS), said the acceptance of her resignation, submitted nearly two months ago, freed her from any obligation to remain restrained in criticising the academy’s leadership. The paediatrician

“So far, I had to show some restraint before calling the leadership out for their pathetic slavery to pharma (industry). Now, I am under no obligation to show that restraint,” she wrote.

The paediatrician alleged that while IAP was once led by ethical leaders, who helped build the organisation’s credibility, its leadership in recent years had prioritised pharmaceutical funding over child safety.

She claimed that despite repeatedly raising concerns with the IAP leadership, no action was taken regarding ORSL’s promotion at PEDICON conferences. According to Dr Sivaranjani, the product was marketed in a manner that could lead consumers to confuse it with ORS, the WHO-recommended formulation for dehydration.

The paediatrician also questioned why manufacturers were allowed to cite presentations at PEDICON as scientific endorsement of their products. She further alleged that parents were not adequately informed about the routine consumption of beverages containing artificial sweeteners by children.

In March, Dr Sivaranjani received legal notices after raising concerns about ORSL and its rebranded version, ERZL. Notably, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had in Oct 2025 prohibited the use of the term ‘ORS’ in the name, label or branding of food and beverage products that do not conform to the WHO-approved ORS formulation, including the use of the term as a prefix or suffix.

Meanwhile , the IAP defended its institutional processes, asserting that all its recommendations and positions are guided by scientific evidence, ethical practices, and established governance mechanisms. Dr Ruchira Maheshwari Gupta said the Academy remains committed to evidence-based pediatric care and that any educational support or partnerships for scientific events do not influence its policy decisions.

“We urge stakeholders to avoid speculation, the IAP said discussions on pediatric health issues should remain balanced, evidence-driven, and within appropriate professional and regulatory frameworks, while reiterating that safeguarding child health remains its foremost priority.”