Advertisements on some medical products have still been seen on TV, after a set of new regulations on banning them came into effect on Aug. 1.

In a joint statement by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) and the State Administration of Industry and Commerce (SAIC), television and radio advertisements for medicines, medical equipments, weight loss, breast enlargement and other beauty products and treatments are temporarily banned.

The joint statement by SARFT and SAIC said television and radio stations that fail to fulfill their obligations to cause serious results will be punished as such ads may violate consumer's rights and endanger their health.

However, a dozen of provincial TV stations still put on show such advertisements till midnight of Aug. 1, with introduction of the medical products giving no details of manufacturers or distributors.

"Such advertisements have broken the rules," said an official with the SARFT, refusing to be named.

He explained that according to the new regulations, a TV shopping program should make it clear the manufacturing and distributing companies of the medical products, and the approval on the products by the government.

He revealed that all provincial administrations under SARFT were demanded to rectify the TV stations breaking the rules, and carry out stricter checks over independently operating channels.

The SARFT will send a notice to those who broke rules, the official noted. If one television or radio received three notices within 60 days, it will be forbidden to screen advertisement and the officials in charge will be penalized.

The official stressed that the advertisements on weight losing products in the name of "keeping fit" will also be banned.

Source: Xinhua