State Drug Administration, Administration of Internet-based Pharmaceutical Information Services Tentative Provisions

Promulgated: January 11 2001
Effective: February 1 2001
Interpreting authority: State Drug Administration
Applicability: For the purposes of these Provisions, "internet-based pharmaceutical information services" means the provision to online subscribers of information on pharmaceuticals (including medical devices, supplies and packing materials) through the internet, whether for profit or for free (Articles 2 and 3).

Main contents: The Provisions state that internet-based pharmaceutical information services are subject to the regulation by the State Drug Administration (Article 4). Application for setting up for-profit internet-based pharmaceutical information services requires preliminary examination by provincial-level drug administrations and final approval by the State Drug Administration, whereas free internet-based pharmaceutical information services require examination by provincial-level drug administrations and filing with the State Drug Administration (Article 5). In addition to the requirements normally applicable to any internet-based information service providers pursuant to the State Council, Administration of Internet Information Services Procedures, the applicant shall demonstrate that it can ensure that its pharmaceutical information comes from legal, safe and truthful sources (Article 6). If the internet-based pharmaceutical information services include the provision of online pharmaceutical trading services, separate applications shall be submitted to the State Drug Administration (Article 10). The Provisions require all pharmaceutical information service providers in operation prior to the promulgation of the Provisions to complete examination procedures pursuant to these Provisions within 60 days (Article 14).
Related legislation: PRC, Administration of Pharmaceuticals Law and State Council, Administration of Internet Information Services Procedures, Sep 25 2000, CLP 2000 No.9 p62