Japan Pharmacies, Online Sellers Hit By New Drug Law Restrictions
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive Summary
Some Japanese drug stores that also sell online, and online vendors themselves are complaining about the country's new law banning several types of drugs online. The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry said the law that took effect June 1 merely clarified the 2006 pharmaceutical law that did not address online sales. The ministry was concerned that if a buyer and seller did not meet face to face, it was difficult to exchange proper medical information. Current buyers of medicines online are grandfathered for two years under the law, but new buyers are not to be allowed online. One online dealer said about 70 percent of drugs that had been sold online before are now restricted, causing his industry and drug stores to lose income. (Click here for more