China's drug watchdog Wednesday publicly exposed 11 healthcare companies for falsely advertising their products.

According to a statement from the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA), some of the advertisments exaggerated the effects of the products which "seriously" misled consumers.

The products, which were identified in the statement, involve capsules, teas, wine, herbal pills, patches and medical devices.

According to the statement, some of the products were prescription drugs and their companies violated rules to advertise them widely.

The SFDA urged consumers to buy drug products under the guidance of doctors and pharmacists.

China has been strengthening the crackdown on illegal medical advertisements, suspending sales of products in some cases and even stripping advertising licenses in others.

(Xinhua News Agency October 14, 2010)