Guangxi cracks down on illegal advertisements such as -miracle doctors- and -miracle medicines- and investigates and handles 74 related cases

On October 22, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region’s Market Supervision Administration provided an update on its ongoing efforts to combat misleading advertisements related to unlicensed medical services and products, often referred to as “miracle doctors” and “miracle medicines.” This year, the agency has increased its focus on regulating advertisements in key areas affecting the public, and has taken significant measures to investigate and penalize violators. So far, they have dealt with 74 cases, effectively protecting consumers’ rights.

According to the administration, some unscrupulous businesses are exploiting consumers’ vulnerabilities, especially during times of health crises, by promoting these so-called “miracle cures” that promise to resolve a myriad of ailments. This has led many, particularly the elderly, to fall victim to misleading claims, which can result in financial losses or, in severe cases, jeopardize their health.

To address these concerns, the Guangxi Market Supervision Administration has ramped up its monitoring of advertisements, implemented stricter penalties for violations, and enhanced its scrutiny of advertising practices. They’ve identified a range of issues within traditional media, including non-compliance with medical advertising regulations and excessive advertisement durations. The agency is focusing its efforts on essential consumer sectors, such as pharmaceuticals, medical services, and health products, utilizing methods like “real-time monitoring” to identify emerging problems and issue timely warnings.

Furthermore, through targeted efforts, the administration has taken a strong stance against false advertising and exaggerated claims. Notably, the incidence of illegal advertisements on monitored television channels dropped by 75.85% in terms of instances and by 68.5% in duration between July and September 2024, significantly cleaning up the advertising landscape in Guangxi.

To streamline the advertising review process for drugs and medical devices, the Guangxi Market Supervision Bureau has established an integrated platform that reduces the processing time from 10 days to 3 days. This platform also allows real-time tracking of application statuses. Additionally, the bureau has enhanced public complaint channels, encouraging citizens to report any suspicious advertisements related to “miracle cures.” Thus far, they have addressed 946 complaints regarding pharmaceuticals and healthcare ads in the first three quarters of 2024.

The Guangxi Market Supervision Bureau advises consumers to purchase medications from reputable sources such as licensed pharmacies and hospitals, ensuring that they examine drug approval numbers and expiration dates carefully. They also caution against products that make exaggerated health claims, as these may contain illegal substances harmful to health. Consumers should remain vigilant against misleading advertisements from “miracle doctors” and “miracle medicines” that might inflate their effectiveness to entice purchases.