Avoid treatments or devices advertised as guaranteed cures for paralysis, blindness, or deafness
China's advertising law prohibits medical, drug, and device advertisements from guaranteeing outcomes, stating cure or response rates, or using endorsers as proof. Claims such as “walk again after three courses” are warning signs without needing to master the seller's theory. Nonmedical products must not be advertised as treating diseases.
What it takes
Avoiding misleading products saves money. It can be difficult when a family is understandably hopeful.
What you may gain
Advertising Law Article 16 prohibits assertions or guarantees of efficacy or safety in medical, drug, and medical-device advertising; stated cure or response rates; comparisons with other medicines, devices, or medical institutions; and endorsement-based recommendations or testimonials. Article 17 prohibits disease-treatment claims in other advertising and medical terminology that misleadingly equates a product with a medicine or medical device. Article 4 prohibits false or misleading content, deception, and misleading consumers and makes advertisers responsible for truthfulness. These are Chinese national rules in the 2021-amended law.
Context & considerations
Guaranteed results are the key warning. A legitimate rehabilitation service should discuss uncertainty rather than promise walking after a fixed number of sessions. Report unlawful promotion through China's 12315 service or local market regulator. Similar tactics appear in chapter 6, entry 10 on supplements. For seeking refunds after online or prepaid purchases, see chapter 5, entry 29. You and your family benefit.
Research & references
Advertising Law of the People's Republic of China, amended 2021, Articles 4, 16, and 17. https://flk.npc.gov.cn/detail?id=ff8081817ab231eb017abd6bd860052d