Tightening control over online drug sales: Banning the sale of prescription drugs via e-commerce platforms

Illustration.

Recently, the media has reported on the phenomenon of buying and selling drugs, including prescription drugs and drugs subject to special control, on social networking sites. The Drug Administration of Vietnam has sent a document to units and organizations that sell products through e-commerce such as Meta Platforms Inc, Shopee Company Limited... requesting measures to control and prevent these behaviors.

According to the provisions of the Law on Amendments and Supplements to a Number of Articles of the Law on Pharmacy (No. 44/2024/QH15) - which will take effect from July 1, 2025, the retail sale of prescription drugs, special control drugs and drugs in the restricted list via e-commerce is strictly prohibited (except for cases serving medical isolation due to group A infectious diseases). At the same time, the wholesale sale of special control drugs via online form is also prohibited.

In addition, the new Law clearly stipulates: Facilities are only allowed to trade drugs at licensed locations; all drug transactions via social networks or platforms that are not official e-commerce platforms are strictly prohibited.

Along with perfecting the legal framework, the Drug Administration of Vietnam also requires localities to strengthen field inspections, detect and promptly handle establishments that sell drugs in the wrong locations, sell drugs in violation of regulations, or take advantage of social networking platforms to illegally trade drugs. Units must ensure strict compliance with Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) principles, only transacting with partners that are legally qualified and licensed according to regulations.

In addition, the health sector also emphasized the importance of communication work to raise people's awareness: do not buy medicine online when the origin is unknown; go to a licensed pharmacy to ensure safety.

This move is part of an effort to tighten management of the online pharmaceutical market, prevent the sale of illegal drugs, counterfeit drugs, and poor quality drugs, and contribute to protecting public health in the context of increasingly growing online trading activities.

According to VTV

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/siet-chat-kiem-soat-mua-ban-thuoc-tren-mang-cam-ban-thuoc-ke-don-qua-san-thuong-mai-dien-tu-246366.htm