Advertising: Tokyo police arrest six for bogus mushroom ads

The Japan Times reports that police have arrested six people including an executive of a Tokyo-based publisher, on suspicion of violating the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law.

Police confiscated books that advertised the Agaricus mushroom as a treatment for cancer. Health supplements containing the fungus were also confiscated. The books allegedly contain reports by fictitious cancer patients who said the mushroom was effective in treating their illness.

The Pharmaceutical Affairs Law bans advertising the manufacturing methods and effects of unauthorized medicines. It also forbids the advertisement of false and exaggerated information regarding authorized medicines. Violators face a heavy fine or a maximum two-year prison term.
In addition, manufacturers may not display information on purported health benefits that greatly differ from fact or may cause misunderstanding.