Medical procedures and services - ASA

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invasive procedures or surgery. </p> <p>Proven procedures being advertised is fine as long as the procedures are carried out under suitably qualified supervision and advertisers hold evidence in the form of clinical trials, to support efficacy claims. </p> <p>Certain legislations also need to be taken in to account for ads for some medical services such as The Health and Social Care Act 2008 for the advertisement of Post Conception Advice Services (PCAS) for women. </p> <p>However, in general, advertisers should be careful not to imply a medical procedure or service can cure someone of a particular ailment or illness if the outcome is not permanent and the effects of surgery can wane or be reversed.  They should also avoid implying the procedure or service is suitable for all patients and always successful. </p> <p>They should also be careful when offering related promotions to their services, especially if they are time-limited promotions. Consumers should always be given a reasonable amount of time to consider all aspects of committing to a surgical procedure and not feel rushed in to a decision because of a competition or money-off offer. When it comes to promotions, we advise advertisers to provide a lengthy cancellation policy and a strict consultation process before the procedure to ensure consumers have time to contemplate if they are making the right choice. </p> </div> <a class="show-more-less-button"><span class="more-label">+ Read more</span> <span class="less-label">- Show less</span></a> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-4">  <div class="share-page-widget"> <p class="share-page-widget-item-holder"> <a href="#" class="favourites-button element-with-icon" data-action = "add" data-target-id = "D88C3218-6E18-40A5-9D15F13327FE2A28" data-target-type = "topic" > <span class="font-icon font-icon-Artboard-Copy-295"></span> <strong>Add to my favourites</strong> </a> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>   <div class="horizontal-listing-area"> <div class="container"> <ul class="horizontal-listing"> <li class="horizontal-listing-item "> <a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/topic/Health_conditions.html" >Health conditions</a> </li> <li class="horizontal-listing-item "> <a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/topic/Cosmetic_surgery_and_procedures.html" >Cosmetic surgery and procedures</a> </li> <li class="horizontal-listing-item "> <a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/topic/Medical_devices.html" >Medical devices</a> </li> <li class="horizontal-listing-item "> <a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/topic/Beauty_products_grooming_and_hygiene.html" >Beauty products, grooming and hygiene</a> </li> <li class="horizontal-listing-item "> <a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/topic/Medicines_remedies_and_therapies.html" >Medicines, remedies and therapies</a> </li> <li class="horizontal-listing-item "> <a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/topic/Weight_and_slimming.html" >Weight and slimming</a> </li> <li class="horizontal-listing-item is-active"> <a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/topic/Medical_procedures_and_services.html" >Medical procedures and services</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div>   <div class="breadcrumb"> <div class="container"> <ul class="breadcrumb-list"> <li class="breadcrumb-list-item"> <a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/">Home</a> </li> <li class="breadcrumb-list-item"> <a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/issues-and-topics.html">Issues and topics</a> </li> <li class="breadcrumb-list-item"> Medical procedures and services </li> </ul> </div> </div>   <div class="contents"> <div class="main-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-6">  <div class="widget"> <h2 class="heading">Latest news</h2> <ul class="icon-listing mod-bordered"> <li class="icon-listing-item"> <a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/news/shroom-for-improvement-navigating-the-advertising-rules-for-functional-mushrooms.html" class="font-icon font-icon-file-o icon-holder u-perfect-round"></a> <div class="icon-listing-item-content"> <h4 class="heading"><a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/news/shroom-for-improvement-navigating-the-advertising-rules-for-functional-mushrooms.html">Shroom for improvement? Navigating the advertising rules for functional mushrooms</a></h4> <ul class="meta-listing"> <li class="meta-listing-item"> <span class="caption">CAP News</span> </li> <li class="meta-listing-item"> <span class="caption">21 November 2024</span> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="icon-listing-item"> <a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/news/claims-to-treat-long-covid-don-t-be-immune-to-the-misleading-advertising-rules.html" class="font-icon font-icon-file-o icon-holder u-perfect-round"></a> <div class="icon-listing-item-content"> <h4 class="heading"><a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/news/claims-to-treat-long-covid-don-t-be-immune-to-the-misleading-advertising-rules.html">Claims to treat Long COVID? Don’t be immune to the misleading advertising rules!</a></h4> <ul class="meta-listing"> <li class="meta-listing-item"> <span class="caption">CAP News</span> </li> <li class="meta-listing-item"> <span class="caption">07 November 2024</span> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="icon-listing-item"> <a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/news/don-t-feel-rattled-about-your-baby-related-ads.html" class="font-icon font-icon-file-o icon-holder u-perfect-round"></a> <div class="icon-listing-item-content"> <h4 class="heading"><a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/news/don-t-feel-rattled-about-your-baby-related-ads.html">Don’t feel rattled about your baby-related ads</a></h4> <ul class="meta-listing"> <li class="meta-listing-item"> <span class="caption">CAP News</span> </li> <li class="meta-listing-item"> <span class="caption">24 October 2024</span> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="icon-listing-item"> <a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/news/quit-non-compliance-filtered-tips-for-stop-smoking-ads.html" class="font-icon font-icon-file-o icon-holder u-perfect-round"></a> <div class="icon-listing-item-content"> <h4 class="heading"><a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/news/quit-non-compliance-filtered-tips-for-stop-smoking-ads.html">Quit non-compliance – filtered tips for stop-smoking ads</a></h4> <ul class="meta-listing"> <li class="meta-listing-item"> <span class="caption">CAP News</span> </li> <li class="meta-listing-item"> <span class="caption">10 October 2024</span> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="icon-listing-item"> <a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/news/avoid-getting-the-asa-s-back-up-this-back-care-awareness-week.html" class="font-icon font-icon-file-o icon-holder u-perfect-round"></a> <div class="icon-listing-item-content"> <h4 class="heading"><a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/news/avoid-getting-the-asa-s-back-up-this-back-care-awareness-week.html">Avoid getting the ASA’s back up this back care awareness week.</a></h4> <ul class="meta-listing"> <li class="meta-listing-item"> <span class="caption">CAP News</span> </li> <li class="meta-listing-item"> <span class="caption">10 October 2024</span> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="icon-listing-item"> <a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/news/become-a-compliance-visionary-for-national-eye-health-week.html" class="font-icon font-icon-file-o icon-holder u-perfect-round"></a> <div class="icon-listing-item-content"> <h4 class="heading"><a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/news/become-a-compliance-visionary-for-national-eye-health-week.html">Become a compliance visionary for National Eye Health Week! </a></h4> <ul class="meta-listing"> <li class="meta-listing-item"> <span class="caption">CAP News</span> </li> <li class="meta-listing-item"> <span class="caption">19 September 2024</span> </li> </ul> </div> </li> </ul> <div class="show-more"> <a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/advice-and-resources/news.html?topic=D88C3218-6E18-40A5-9D15F13327FE2A28" class="show-more-link">View all news</a> </div> </div>  </div> <div class="col-md-6">  <div class="widget"> <h2 class="heading">Latest rulings</h2> <ul class="icon-listing mod-bordered"> <li class="icon-listing-item"> <a class="font-icon font-icon-Gavel icon-holder u-perfect-round" href="https://www.asa.org.uk/rulings/zoe-ltd-g24-1241850-zoe-ltd.html" target="_blank"></a> <div class="icon-listing-item-content"> <h4 class="heading"><a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/rulings/zoe-ltd-g24-1241850-zoe-ltd.html" target="_blank">ZOE Ltd</a></h4> <ul class="meta-listing"> <li class="meta-listing-item"> <span class="caption">Upheld</span> </li> <li class="meta-listing-item"> <span class="caption">Social media (paid ad)</span> </li> <li class="meta-listing-item"> <span class="caption">14 August 2024</span> </li> </ul> <p>A paid-for Facebook ad for Zoe featuring a testimonial from Steven Bartlett misleadingly omitted that he was an investor in the company. </p> </div> </li> <li class="icon-listing-item"> <a class="font-icon font-icon-Gavel icon-holder u-perfect-round" href="https://www.asa.org.uk/rulings/person-s--unknown-a24-1245839-person-s--unknown.html" target="_blank"></a> <div class="icon-listing-item-content"> <h4 class="heading"><a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/rulings/person-s--unknown-a24-1245839-person-s--unknown.html" target="_blank">Person(s) unknown t/a Mendio Life</a></h4> <ul class="meta-listing"> <li class="meta-listing-item"> <span class="caption">Upheld</span> </li> <li class="meta-listing-item"> <span class="caption">Social media (paid ad)</span> </li> <li class="meta-listing-item"> <span class="caption">31 July 2024</span> </li> </ul> <p>A paid-for Meta ad which claimed that an acupressure clip could treat prostate issues made medical claims for a device that didn’t hold the applicable conformity marking and was not registered with the MHRA. </p> </div> </li> <li class="icon-listing-item"> <a class="font-icon font-icon-check icon-holder u-perfect-round" href="https://www.asa.org.uk/rulings/alzheimer-s-society.html" target="_blank"></a> <div class="icon-listing-item-content"> <h4 class="heading"><a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/rulings/alzheimer-s-society.html" target="_blank">Alzheimer's Society</a></h4> <ul class="meta-listing"> <li class="meta-listing-item"> <span class="caption">Not Upheld</span> </li> <li class="meta-listing-item"> <span class="caption">05 June 2024</span> </li> </ul> <p>Three TV ads and a radio ad for a charity were not irresponsible, did not cause serious or widespread offence, and did not cause unjustifiable distress. </p> </div> </li> <li class="icon-listing-item"> <a class="font-icon font-icon-Gavel icon-holder u-perfect-round" href="https://www.asa.org.uk/rulings/onecompress-a23-1220254-onecompress.html" target="_blank"></a> <div class="icon-listing-item-content"> <h4 class="heading"><a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/rulings/onecompress-a23-1220254-onecompress.html" target="_blank">OneCompress</a></h4> <ul class="meta-listing"> <li class="meta-listing-item"> <span class="caption">Upheld</span> </li> <li class="meta-listing-item"> <span class="caption">Social media (paid ad)</span> </li> <li class="meta-listing-item"> <span class="caption">06 March 2024</span> </li> </ul> <p>Two paid-for Facebook ads for bamboo gloves and socks made medical claims for unlicensed products. </p> </div> </li> </ul> <div class="show-more"> <a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/codes-and-rulings/rulings.html?date_period=past_year&topic=D88C3218-6E18-40A5-9D15F13327FE2A28" class="show-more-link">View all rulings</a> </div> </div>  </div> </div> </div>  </div>  </div>   <div class="cap-area general-container"> <div class="container"> <div class="cap-area-header"> <img src="../../../assets/img/logos/logo-cap.png" alt="logo-cap" class="cap-area-header-image" /> <h1 class="font-color-grey">Help getting it right</h1> </div> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-6">  <div class="widget"> <h2 class="heading">Popular advice</h2> <ul class="icon-listing mod-bordered"> <li class="icon-listing-item resource-item mod-blue"> <a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/advice-online/use-of-the-term-dr-chiropractors.html" class="font-icon font-icon-file-o icon-holder u-perfect-round"></a> <div class="icon-listing-item-content"> <h4 class="heading"><a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/advice-online/use-of-the-term-dr-chiropractors.html">Use of the term "Dr": Chiropractors</a></h4> <ul class="meta-listing"> <li class="meta-listing-item"> <span class="caption">AdviceOnline</span> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="icon-listing-item resource-item mod-blue"> <a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/advice-online/use-of-the-term-dr-chinese-medicine-practitioners.html" class="font-icon font-icon-file-o icon-holder u-perfect-round"></a> <div class="icon-listing-item-content"> <h4 class="heading"><a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/advice-online/use-of-the-term-dr-chinese-medicine-practitioners.html">Use of the term "Dr": Chinese Medicine Practitioners</a></h4> <ul class="meta-listing"> <li class="meta-listing-item"> <span class="caption">AdviceOnline</span> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="icon-listing-item resource-item mod-blue"> <a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/advice-online/healthcare-prescription-only-medicine.html" class="font-icon font-icon-file-o icon-holder u-perfect-round"></a> <div class="icon-listing-item-content"> <h4 class="heading"><a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/advice-online/healthcare-prescription-only-medicine.html">Healthcare: Prescription-only medicine</a></h4> <ul class="meta-listing"> <li class="meta-listing-item"> <span class="caption">AdviceOnline</span> </li> </ul> </div> </li> </ul> <div class="show-more"> <a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/advice-and-resources/resource-library/resource-search-results.html?topic=D88C3218-6E18-40A5-9D15F13327FE2A28" class="show-more-link">View all articles</a> </div> </div>  </div> <div class="col-md-6">  <div class="widget"> <h2 class="heading">Relevant codes</h2> <ul class="icon-listing mod-bordered"> <li class="icon-listing-item"> <a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/type/broadcast/code_section/11.html" class="font-icon font-icon-Open-book-2 icon-holder u-perfect-round"></a> <div class="icon-listing-item-content"> <h4 class="heading"><a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/type/broadcast/code_section/11.html">11 Medicines, medical devices, treatments and health</a></h4> <ul class="meta-listing"> <li class="meta-listing-item"> <span class="caption">Broadcast</span> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="icon-listing-item"> <a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/type/non_broadcast/code_section/12.html" class="font-icon font-icon-Open-book-2 icon-holder u-perfect-round"></a> <div class="icon-listing-item-content"> <h4 class="heading"><a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/type/non_broadcast/code_section/12.html">12 Medicines, medical devices, health-related products and beauty products</a></h4> <ul class="meta-listing"> <li class="meta-listing-item"> <span class="caption">Non-broadcast</span> </li> </ul> </div> </li> </ul> <div class="show-more"> <a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/search.html?type=broadcastcode,code&topic=D88C3218-6E18-40A5-9D15F13327FE2A28" class="show-more-link">View all</a> </div> </div>  </div> </div> </div> </div>  </div>  </div> <div id="message-login-popup" class="white-popup mfp-hide"> <div class='magnific-popup mfp-video-popup'> <div class='white-popup-content'> <header> <button type='button' class='remove-link mfp-close'>Close ×</button> <h3>Please login!</h3> </header> <section class='body'> <p class="message"></p> <div class="u-aligned-center"> <a class="btn mod-white-btn mod-rounded" href="https://www.asa.org.uk/account/register.html" style="margin-right: 10px">Register</a> <a class="btn mod-white-btn mod-rounded" href="https://www.asa.org.uk/account/login.html?postLoginUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Easa%2Eorg%2Euk">Login</a> </div> </section> </div> </div> </div> <div id="message-remove-popup" class="white-popup mfp-hide"> <div class='magnific-popup mfp-video-popup'> <div 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