China to tighten supervision over drug ads

BEIJING - In a bid to crack down on ad-related scams, publishing units have been ordered to further tighten supervision over advertisements of drugs and healthcare products, according to a Friday circular.

Publications should neither advertise drugs or healthcare products, nor recommend doctors or medical care institutions, in the name of spreading scientific knowledge or promoting expert consultations, according to the circular issued by the State General Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television.

Advertisements should be clearly marked as such, and they are banned from being published as news reports, the circular said.

Moreover, no related contacts are allowed to appear in reports of personnel or features on enterprises, it added.

The administration urged publishing units at all levels to cooperate with relative organs in tightening supervision, and it will issue punishments to press units engaged in ad-related scams.