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China Bans Actors From Medical Commercials

Health Ministry calls drug commercials misleading

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 18, 2009 2:06 PM CST

(Newser) – Stung by the appearance of a single actor playing four different medical experts, the Chinese government has prohibited actors from portraying doctors or patients in commercials, Variety reports. The outrage stemmed from a Beijing Times article that also revealed one actress had posed as someone suffering from lung, liver, kidney, and heart conditions in four drug commercials.

Actors and celebrities have been banned from hosting medical shows since last year.

In this photo provided by Roche, a delivery truck is being loaded with boxes containing more than 53,000 vials of Rocephin, in the Chinese province of Sichuan, Thursday, May 15, 2008.
In this photo provided by Roche, a delivery truck is being loaded with boxes containing more than 53,000 vials of Rocephin, in the Chinese province of Sichuan, Thursday, May 15, 2008.   (AP Photo/Roche)
Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao delivers a speech during a banquet on September 29, 2008 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China.
Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao delivers a speech during a banquet on September 29, 2008 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China.   (Getty Images)
In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Hu Jintao gives a New Year address which is broadcast from Beijing to domestic and overseas audiences via state TV and radio stations on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008.
In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Hu Jintao gives a New Year address which is broadcast from Beijing to domestic and overseas audiences via state TV and radio stations...   (AP Photo/Xinhua, Fan Rujun)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Riffran
Feb 22, 2009 4:21 AM CST
Im not a docktah..but I stayed at a Fugiyohammayokanaka inn last night....can help you
Guest
Feb 19, 2009 6:06 AM CST
What ever happened to trusting the Dr. to know what we need? My Dr. feels he has to give people whatever they ask for because if he doesn't they leave him for a Dr. that will. If you Dr. is so stupid that he needs you to ask him if (?) would be right for you, you need a new Dr.
Guest
Feb 18, 2009 2:10 AM CST
this is what I"M fucking talking about, its time that this trickles over into the states as well. the only people that those commercials with actors help are the actors themselves and the drug manufacturers.
 

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