Ministry of Health, Administration of Internet-based Medical and Health Information Services Measures

Promulgated: January 1 2001
Effective: as of date of promulgation
Interpreting authority: Ministry of Health
Applicability: For the purposes of the Measures, "internet-based medical and health information services" means the provision of medical and health information to internet users by setting up medical and health websites or uploading medical and health information to the internet (Article 2). Medical and health information services are deemed business services if they are fee-based, otherwise are non-business services (Article 3).

Main contents: The Measures restrict internet-based medical and health information services to the provision of medical and health information and prohibit internet-based diagnosis and treatment services (Article 4). To set up a medical and health information website or a website that posts medical and health information, one must apply for and obtain approval from the medical and health authority before applying for the website operation licence from the information industry authority or telecommunications authority (Article 6). An approved website shall display the approval document number on its home page (Article 9). It is required to indicate the source of the medical and health information published on its pages and is prohibited from publishing any feudal or superstitious content (Article 5). The Ministry of Health will designate a special institution and staff to carry out periodic compliance inspections on medical and health information websites (Article 12).
Related legislation: State Council, Administration of Internet Information Services Measures, Sep 25 2000, CLP 2000 No.9 p62 and Ministry of Health, Strengthening the Administration of Distance Joint Medical Diagnosis Circular