Nationwide support for Dr Sivaranjani amid pharma notices

Dr Sivaranjani Santosh faces legal notices from pharma firms over high-sugar ORS products, triggering nationwide support from doctors. Backed by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India norms, the controversy has intensified debate on misleading health claims

Hyderabad: The battle between senior pediatrician and public health activist from Hyderabad, Dr Sivaranjani Santosh and pharmaceutical companies over high-sugar content in Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) has continued to escalate.

This time around, the entire medical fraternity, not only from Telangana but from across the country, are up in arms against pharmaceutical companies, who had served legal notices on Dr Sivaranjani Santosh for her continued advocacy over the issue.

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For almost a decade, Dr Sivaranjani has been highlighting and fighting against high-sugar beverages being marketed under the guise of ORS.

The legal notices by two drug companies, however, have appeared to have backfired, as it has managed to trigger a wave of criticism from not only doctors but also people from all walks of life, including social media influencers.

Dr Sivaranjani has continued to remain defiant. Addressing the two major pharma companies, she said “How dare you send me notice and charge that I am maligning names of ORSL and ERZL for my own commercial benefits and for increasing the number of followers for my page, and that you will drag me to the court?! My stance is predated and vindicated by the FSSAI order of October 14 and 15”.

Dr Sivaranjani alleged that the rebranding of products (from ORSL to ERZL) remains misleading to parents who trust these products for dehydration, despite their high sugar content.

Meanwhile, the medical fraternity from Telangana and elsewhere have come in full support of the doctor and against the pharma companies.

Telangana Senior Resident Doctors Association (T-SRDA) said “Targeting a doctor for raising scientific and public health concerns is unacceptable. Any attempt to silence such voices through legal intimidation undermines scientific integrity and restricts the ability of doctors to advocate for public health”.

Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association (HRDA) Telangana and TS-RDA demanded immediate withdrawal of the notices.

The president Dr. Karthik Nagula, described the notice as “unwarranted and an apparent attempt to intimidate a medical professional who has been consistently advocating for patient safety.

The controversy stems from an October 2025 FSSAI directive which prohibited any food brand from using the term “ORS” unless it strictly adheres to the WHO-recommended medical formula.

Dr. Santosh’s 8-year battle was a primary catalyst for this regulation. As of today, the hashtag ‘#StandWithDrSivaranjani’ continues to trend, with doctors and parents alike supporting the doctor’s mission to keep ‘fake ORS’ off pharmacy shelves.