In an age of digital outreach and patient-driven healthcare, advertising has become an integral part of clinic visibility. However, physicians must walk a careful legal and ethical line. While advertising is no longer outright prohibited, it is regulated. The Medical Council of India (MCI, now under the NMC) prohibits the use of promotional, superlative, or misleading claims in signage or digital platforms. Violations, even unintentional, may lead to disciplinary action, including penalties or suspension.
The liability for false advertising in medicine is distinct from malpractice. It arises not from clinical outcomes, but from how care is portrayed. Risk areas include: claiming guaranteed outcomes (e.g., “100% success rate”), marketing unproven therapies, using celebrity endorsements, or deceptively billing packages. Even patient testimonials must be authentic, verifiable, and…
