Hyderabad paediatrician resigns from IAP after legal notice row over ORS remarks: Report

A Hyderabad-based paediatrician has reportedly resigned from the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP), alleging lack of institutional support after receiving legal notices from pharmaceutical firms over her public remarks on oral rehydration products.

Dr Sivaranjani Santosh said she reportedly stepped down from the body a few days ago, citing its failure to back her following the notices issued by companies including Kenvue and Johnson & Johnson.

As per The Hindu report, the notices accused her of making “false, misleading, disparaging and defamatory” statements about products such as ORSL and its rebranded version ERZL. Dr Santosh has maintained that her comments were intended to raise awareness about the indiscriminate use of electrolyte drinks among children, particularly their routine consumption as daily hydration products.

With a membership of over 47,000, the IAP is the country’s largest body representing paediatricians.

Dr Santosh alleged that despite her representations, the IAP neither condemned the legal action nor extended public support. She also questioned the timing of a position statement issued by the academy on oral rehydration solutions (ORS), noting that the products have been in use for decades.

She further criticised the IAP’s reference to sucralose in its statement, arguing that the focus appeared selective. Citing international guidelines, she reportedly said global paediatric bodies such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Paediatric Society advise caution over the long-term use of artificial sweeteners in children due to limited evidence on their effects on gut health and metabolic risks.

Dr Santosh also alleged that financial links between pharmaceutical companies and medical conferences may have influenced institutional positions, claiming that the absence of support from the IAP contrasted with responses from other medical associations that have spoken against legal intimidation of doctors.

Expressing disappointment over what she described as attempts to portray her negatively within the medical community, she said she had raised concerns internally for years before going public.