According to Xinhua News Agency, Shanghai Administration For Industry and Commerce (SAIC) banned celebrity endorsed medical ads from October 14. The ban includes medical ads featuring movie stars acting as “health ambassadors” and spokesmen who praise magic medical effects.
This is obviously a reaction to misleading celebrity medical ads in Beijing recently, especially the case of ads for Xinxing Hospital which were endorsed by famous actor Tang Guoqiang. According to an officer from SAIC, even when celebrities have real experience of using the medical service or drugs they endorse are breaking the law because it is illegal in China to use patients to endorse medical products and services in advertising.