Man sues bear bile company

A Beijing resident has filed a lawsuit against Guizhentang, a Fujian-based company producing medicine from bear bile, for false advertising on its products that misleads and deceives consumers, the First Financial Daily reported yesterday.

Beijing Haidian District People's Court has filed the case, but could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Guizhentang has been under fire for months since it revealed its IPO plan, and has been trying to fend off fierce public opposition ever since.

The plaintiff refused to publicize his identity, but has handed in evidence to the court, including the receipts for the bear bile power he purchased, which was produced by Guizhentang.

According to the indictment, influenced by Guizhentang's media advertisements, and descriptions on its official website claiming bear bile products can help protect the liver and prevent cancer, the plaintiff spent 220 yuan ($34.9) on a box of Guizhentang bear bile powder from Beijing Haodekuai Pharmaceutical on March 10. He wanted to keep healthy, since he often drank alcohol during business banquets.

However, the plaintiff found the functions listed in the powder's instructions differed greatly from what was promoted on the website and in media.

The medicine is believed to reduce fever, protect the liver, improve eyesight and act as an anti-inflammatory, but the listed functions say it deals with convulsion, eye ache and sore throat.

"The plaintiff asked for a compensation of 440 yuan, double the money he spent on the powder, and he also requested Guizhentang to apologize to consumers," the plaintiff's lawyer was quoted as saying by First Financial Daily.

Zhang Zhiyun, a Guizhentang board member, told the Global Times yesterday that bear bile contains ursodexycholic acid, which has been proved to be effective in treating liver disease.

"I don't know the purpose of this person who filed the lawsuit, but I believe Guizhentang will respond to the lawsuit soon," he said.

An Xiang, a lawyer dedicated to animal welfare protection, said that it is not easy to identify medicines' effect in improving people's health.

"They can send the samples to a test center for identification… In this civil case, the court will mediate the dispute based on both party's requests. If the plaintiff wins, he can get double the money he spent, but it's not easy to force an apology from Guizhentang," he said.