Japanese Companies Sue Government Over New OTC Online Purchase Regulation
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive Summary
Two major online marketing companies in Japan, Kenko.com and Wellnet filed May 25 a lawsuit against the government over online purchase regulations for over-the-counter drugs. A ministerial ordinance from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare requires face-to-face transactions for OTC drugs categorized as class 1 and 2. A pharmacist explanation is required for class 1 drugs, and an explanation from a pharmacist or a registered seller is required for class 2 drugs. Japanese online marketers consider the regulation an actual ban on the online purchase of the drugs. The two companies claim that the government's decision to ban Internet sales went beyond its jurisdiction. (Click here for more - Japanese language