Reuters AlertNet Lite - China cracks down on "sexual medicine" ads

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China cracks down on "sexual medicine" ads

29 Nov 2007 01:16:30 GMT
Source: Reuters

BEIJING, Nov 29 (Reuters) - China will seek to wipe out advertisements for "sexual medicine" and treatments for sexually transmitted diseases as part of its drive to clean up its food and drug industries, state media reported on Thursday.

The ads have already been banned, but they have been increasing on the Internet nonetheless, the report said.

They had "misled consumers, impaired the credibility of the media and seriously disturbed market order", Xinhua news agency cited the State Administration for Industry and Commerce as saying.

The administration also ordered its bureaux to strengthen oversight of Web portals and advertising firms and warned that those who carry illegal ads would be "severely punished".

China has been trying to crack down on makers of fake and substandard drugs and tainted food products after a series of scandals that have put the spotlight on corruption in the industry and tainted its reputation abroad.

The country has issued a rash of advertising bans in its efforts to clean up the health industry.

Last year, China banned ads for medical treatments and procedures to try to halt bogus claims of wonder drugs. It has also banned TV commercials for breast enhancements, weight loss and other cosmetic procedures.

(Reporting by Lindsay Beck; Editing by Nick Macfie)

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Last updated:Thu Nov 29 01:16:16 2007