Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) remains a popular and trusted alternative treatment pathway in Singapore’s healthcare landscape. However, as TCM clinics become more accessible and increasingly promoted online, practitioners and clinic owners need to understand their responsibilities under the Healthcare Services Act (HCSA). Introduced by the Ministry of Health (MOH), the HCSA enforces strict advertising standards, replacing the older PHMC Advertising Regulations to ensure all healthcare providers, including TCM to deliver honest, ethical, and safe promotional content.
Table of Contents
- What Is HCSA Advertising Regulation
- How Does HCSA Apply to TCM Clinics
- The Consequences of Non-Compliance
- Partnering with Experts in Healthcare Advertising at Fiture Health
What Is HCSA Advertising Regulation
The Healthcare Services Act (HCSA) is a regulatory framework introduced to oversee and modernise the licensing and operations of healthcare services in Singapore. It replaces the older Private Hospitals and Medical Clinics (PHMC) Act and brings together a broader range of healthcare providers, including allied health, telemedicine, TCM, and all licensed healthcare providers. For TCM providers, this means all forms of promotional content, whether published on a website, social media, or physical media, must now comply with specific advertising guidelines. The primary goals of these regulations are:
- Promote transparency and factual accuracy in healthcare advertising.
- Prevent the use of false, misleading, or overstated claims.
- Protect the public from advertisements that may create unnecessary or unwarranted demand for medical services.
How Does HCSA Apply to TCM Clinics
TCM clinics are licensed healthcare providers in Singapore. As such, they are directly subject to the HCSA advertising regulations. TCM practitioners follow traditional techniques, but they must still uphold modern standards of medical responsibility when communicating with the public. This approach ensures they provide accurate information and avoid misleading patients with exaggerated claims or unethical marketing tactics.The key HCSA advertising rules TCM providers must follow are:
- Accuracy and Evidence-Based Claims: All promotional claims must be factually correct and supported by credible clinical or scientific evidence. Healthcare providers must not use phrases like “best remedy for insomnia” or “guaranteed weight loss” unless they can support them with strong and verifiable data.
- No Use of Testimonials: TCM clinics are not allowed to feature patient testimonials or reviews in their advertising. Testimonials can create unrealistic expectations, which the HCSA strictly prohibits to protect public trust.
- Before-and-After Photos: Images that suggest treatment outcomes, such as “before” and “after” pictures for acupuncture, cupping, or herbal remedies, are not permitted. These visuals may mislead patients into believing in guaranteed results.
- Ethical Pricing and Transparency: Advertising that includes pricing must be transparent and not misleading. Healthcare providers should avoid using promotions like “limited time discount” or “free trial for the first 20 customers,” as these can pressure patients into making hasty decisions.
- Influencer Collaborations Must Be Carefully Managed: If your TCM clinic partners with influencers or KOLs, all content must be reviewed and approved before it goes live. Influencers should not receive any benefit in kind free treatments in exchange for positive coverage, as this could breach HCSA rules.
The Consequences of Non-Compliance
licence. It also undermines public confidence in your practice. That’s why it’s essential to not only comply but to lead by example in responsible healthcare communication. Common pitfalls TCM clinics should avoid:
- Using exaggerated claims such as “result guaranteed TCM clinic in Singapore”
- Publishing social media posts with testimonials or star ratings
- Partnering with influencers without disclosure or compliance checks
- Offering “first trial discounts” without a transparent explanation of fees and terms
Partnering with Experts in Healthcare Advertising at Fiture Health
Navigating the complexities of medical advertising regulations can be overwhelming, that’s where Fiture Health can help. We are a medical marketing agency with in-depth experience supporting TCM and other healthcare providers. We create effective promotional strategies while ensuring full compliance with HCSA regulations. Here’s how we can help your clinic:
- Ensure your medical content and advertising campaigns meet all HCSA requirements
- Create educational, SEO-friendly blog articles that ethically attract and engage patients
- Provide ongoing support to monitor your medical advertising strategies and prevent compliance issues
Want to make sure your TCM clinic stays compliant and competitive? Let Fiture Health guide your advertising strategy the right way. Get in touch with us today!
