Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the misleading marketing practices surrounding "Sanfu Ties" (summer acupuncture patches), revealing that many products marketed as "hospital versions" are actually ordinary consumer goods lacking medical efficacy [1][2][3]. Group 1: Misleading Marketing Practices - Many online sellers exaggerate the efficacy of Sanfu Ties, claiming they can treat various ailments, despite being classified as daily necessities rather than medical products [2][5]. - A specific product, "Ai Cao Sanfu Tie," has sold over 100,000 units on platforms like Taobao, yet it is labeled as a daily necessity and not a substitute for medical treatment [2][4]. - The term "hospital version" is frequently used as a deceptive marketing tactic, with sellers claiming their products are used in hospitals, which is often untrue [7][8]. Group 2: Regulatory and Safety Concerns - The standards for these products, such as Q/NJJJ016, are company-specific and do not meet national or industry medical standards, raising concerns about safety and efficacy [4][9]. - The lack of clear labeling and the use of vague language in product descriptions contribute to consumer confusion regarding the safety and effectiveness of these products [6][9]. - There is a significant gap in regulatory oversight for online sales of Sanfu Ties, making it difficult to ensure product safety and compliance with medical standards [8][9]. Group 3: Consumer Misunderstanding - Many consumers struggle to differentiate between various product classifications, such as "medical device" and "enterprise standard," leading to misconceptions about safety and efficacy [9]. - The marketing strategies employed by sellers exploit consumer trust in traditional medicine, often leading to adverse health effects from using substandard products [6][9]. - Reports indicate that hospitals frequently treat patients for skin reactions and other issues caused by the use of low-quality Sanfu Ties [9].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the misleading marketing practices surrounding "Sanfu Ties" (summer patches) sold online, which are often misrepresented as medical products despite being ordinary consumer goods [1][3][10]. Group 1: Misleading Marketing Practices - Many online sellers exaggerate the efficacy of Sanfu Ties, claiming they are similar to hospital versions, despite being classified as daily necessities [3][5]. - A specific product, "Aicao Sanfu Tie," has sold over 100,000 units on Taobao, yet it is labeled as a daily necessity and not a medical product [3][5]. - The marketing strategies often include terms like "hospital version" and "non-heritage inheritance," which mislead consumers into believing these products have medical backing [10][11]. Group 2: Regulatory and Standard Issues - The product standards for these Sanfu Ties are often based on company standards (Q/NJJJ016), which are less stringent than national or industry standards for medical devices or drugs [6][8]. - The lack of clear national standards for Aicao products allows companies to market them without rigorous safety and efficacy verification [8][11]. - The confusion between "medical device registration" and "company standards" creates a market where consumers are misled about the safety and effectiveness of these products [14]. Group 3: Consumer Misunderstanding - Many consumers struggle to differentiate between various product classifications, such as "drug approval" and "medical device registration," leading to misconceptions about product safety [14]. - The article notes that consumers often trust labels like "hospital version," which can lead to adverse health effects, including skin allergies and burns from low-quality Sanfu Ties [14].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the misleading marketing practices surrounding "Sanfu Ties" (summer patches) sold online, which are often misrepresented as medical products despite being ordinary consumer goods [1][3][10]. Group 1: Misleading Marketing Practices - Many online sellers exaggerate the efficacy of Sanfu Ties, claiming they can treat various ailments, which is a common phenomenon in e-commerce [3][10]. - A specific product, "Ai Cao Sanfu Tie," sold on Taobao, has over 100,000 sales and claims to be suitable for both adults and children, yet it is classified as a consumer good and not a medical product [4][6]. - The product's packaging states it cannot replace medical devices or drugs, but sellers still imply it has similar effects to hospital-grade patches [4][6]. Group 2: Lack of Regulatory Standards - The standard Q/NJJJ016, under which many of these products are produced, is a corporate standard and not a national or industry standard, indicating lower quality control [8][10]. - The absence of clear national standards for these products allows for significant consumer confusion, as many do not understand the difference between corporate standards and medical regulations [10][15]. Group 3: Consumer Misunderstanding - Consumers often struggle to differentiate between various product classifications, such as "drug approval" and "medical device registration," leading to misconceptions about safety and efficacy [15]. - Many consumers mistakenly believe that any product with an execution standard is safe and effective, which has been exploited by sellers [15]. Group 4: Misuse of Traditional Medicine Concepts - Sellers misuse traditional Chinese medicine concepts, such as "winter disease summer treatment," to market their products, simplifying complex medical theories into misleading claims [10][12]. - The marketing often includes vague disclaimers about contraindications, leaving consumers unaware of potential risks associated with using these products [11][12]. Group 5: Regulatory Challenges - The regulatory environment for these products is weak, with oversight primarily focused on packaging and labeling rather than the actual efficacy or safety of the products [13][14]. - The online sales channels, such as Taobao and Douyin, present additional challenges for regulation, as many products are sold by individual sellers, complicating enforcement [13][14].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the misleading marketing practices surrounding "Sanfu Ties" (summer patches) sold online, which are often misrepresented as medical products despite being ordinary consumer goods. The claims made by sellers about their efficacy are largely unfounded and exploit consumer ignorance regarding traditional Chinese medicine and product labeling [2][11]. Group 1: Misleading Marketing Practices - Many online sellers exaggerate the efficacy of "Sanfu Ties," with some products claiming to be "hospital versions" while actually being ordinary consumer items [4][11]. - A specific product, "Ai Cao Sanfu Tie," has sold over 100,000 units but is classified as a consumer good, not a medical product, and is produced under a company standard rather than a national or industry standard [4][9]. - The marketing often includes vague language about symptom relief, misleading consumers into thinking these products have similar effects to those used in hospitals [6][9]. Group 2: Regulatory and Safety Concerns - The company standard Q/NJJJ016, which governs the "Ai Cao Sanfu Tie," was established by a single company and does not meet the rigorous requirements of national medical standards [7][9]. - The lack of clear labeling and the use of ambiguous terms in product descriptions contribute to consumer confusion, leading them to mistakenly believe these products are safe and effective [9][15]. - There is a significant gap in regulatory oversight for these products, as many are sold through online platforms without adequate checks on their actual ingredients or claims [12][15]. Group 3: Consumer Awareness and Education - Many consumers struggle to differentiate between various product classifications, such as "drug approval number" and "company standard," which allows sellers to exploit these misunderstandings [15]. - The article notes that consumers often trust labels like "hospital version" without understanding the implications, leading to adverse health effects from using substandard products [15][16]. - The misuse of traditional Chinese medicine concepts in marketing further complicates consumer understanding, as sellers simplify complex medical theories into misleading claims [10][12].