Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the ongoing misuse of medical insurance cards in China, where non-medical products are being fraudulently classified as medical devices to allow consumers to purchase everyday items using their insurance funds [1][3][5]. Group 1: Misuse of Medical Insurance Cards - Various pharmacies are openly promoting the ability to use medical insurance cards for purchasing daily necessities, such as toothbrushes and skincare products, which violates regulations that restrict insurance funds to medical-related expenses [3][5]. - Investigations reveal that some products, like "dental brushes" and "medical dressings," are essentially ordinary items but are labeled as medical devices to facilitate insurance payments [7][10][14][17]. - A significant number of consumers are being encouraged to exploit these loopholes, with online platforms sharing strategies for using insurance cards to buy non-medical items [3][5]. Group 2: Pharmaceutical Companies' Role - Companies are producing everyday products under the guise of medical devices, claiming they are "cleaner and safer" to attract consumers and increase profits [24][26]. - A specific company reported a substantial contract worth 90 million yuan for supplying these products to nearly 20,000 pharmacies, indicating a lucrative market for such practices [26][28]. - The production of these items is described as legal and compliant, as they possess the necessary medical coding to qualify for insurance payments, despite their actual use being unrelated to medical care [30][28]. Group 3: Impact on the Market - In Gansu, a chain of pharmacies is prominently displaying "medical skincare products" that are registered as medical devices, allowing them to be purchased with insurance funds, despite being marketed as regular skincare items [32][34]. - The profitability of pharmacies is closely tied to the ability to process insurance claims, leading to aggressive promotion of these products [38][39]. - A specific company revealed that approximately 60% of its sales in Gansu are processed through insurance payments, amounting to an estimated 6 million yuan being drawn from consumers' insurance accounts [45].

Core Viewpoint - Recent reports indicate that consumers are being encouraged to misuse their medical insurance cards for purchasing non-medical items, raising concerns about the integrity of the healthcare system and potential regulatory implications [1] Group 1: Consumer Behavior - Consumers are being taught through online platforms how to exploit their medical insurance cards to buy everyday items like dental floss, toothbrushes, facial towels, and skincare products, detaching these purchases from legitimate medical contexts [1] - The trend highlights a growing misuse of medical insurance benefits, as individuals treat their insurance funds as disposable income [1] Group 2: Industry Response - Major pharmacy chains such as Haiwangxingchen, Dacilin (603233), Zhang Zhongjing Pharmacy, and Foci Pharmacy are reportedly selling everyday products packaged as medical devices, promoting them with the ability to be purchased using medical insurance [1] - In specific instances, products not covered by insurance, such as cosmetic contact lenses, are also being sold under the guise of medical necessity, further complicating the issue [1]

Core Viewpoint - The recent announcement by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) regarding typical cases of illegal advertising highlights the ongoing issues of false advertising and exaggerated claims in the medical and pharmaceutical sectors, necessitating stricter regulatory measures to protect consumer rights and public health [1][3][5]. Regulatory Actions - In April 2023, SAMR issued a notice focusing on five key areas, including medical, pharmaceutical, health food, special medical purpose formula food, and medical device advertising, to enhance market order and consumer protection [1][5]. - The release of the "Medical Advertising Regulatory Work Guidelines" in May 2023 marks a new phase in the regulation of medical advertising, providing clear legal boundaries and institutional support for patient rights and market order [2][6]. Case Examples - Among the ten typical cases of illegal advertising published, six involved the pharmaceutical sector, including a case where a company was fined 194,000 yuan for advertising unapproved medical devices [3][4]. - Other cases included misleading advertisements for medical services and products claiming disease prevention or treatment capabilities, resulting in fines totaling 1.4 million yuan across various cases [3][4]. Enforcement Statistics - As of April 2023, nationwide efforts have led to the investigation of 11,459 illegal advertising cases, with fines totaling approximately 88.31 million yuan [5][6]. - Specific regions, such as Anhui, reported 1,458 leads on illegal medical advertising and 452 cases of violations, demonstrating the effectiveness of local regulatory actions [5]. Future Directions - Experts suggest enhancing the regulatory framework by refining advertising review standards and establishing comprehensive monitoring mechanisms [7]. - The introduction of technology-driven solutions, such as an intelligent monitoring system for medical advertisements, is recommended to improve compliance and enforcement [7].