State Food and Drug Administration, Administration of Internet-based Pharmaceutical Information Services Procedures

Promulgated: July 8 2004
Effective: as of date of promulgation
Interpreting authority: State Food and Drug Administration
Applicability: The Procedures apply to the provision of internet-based pharmaceutical information services in China. "Internet-based pharmaceutical information services" means the provision of pharmaceutical (including medical devices) information services to internet users via the internet (Article 2).

Main contents: Internet-based pharmaceutical information services are categorized into commercial and non-commercial services. Commercial services refer to the provision of services such as internet-based pharmaceutical information to internet users via the internet for profit and non-commercial services the provision of such services on an open and sharing basis for free (Article 3). Advertisements on pharmaceutical products (including medical devices) published on websites that provide internet-based pharmaceutical information services shall be subject to the examination and approval of administrative department for (food and) drug (Article 10). Article 11 sets out the criteria for application for the provision of internet-based pharmaceutical information services. For instance, the service provider shall be an enterprise, institution or other organization established in accordance with the law (Article 11). An Internet-based Pharmaceutical Information Services Qualification Certificate is valid for five years (Article 17).
Related legislations: PRC Administration of Pharmaceuticals Law (Revised), Feb 28 2001, CLP 2001 No.3 p26 and State Council, Administration of Internet Information Services Procedures, Sep 25 2000, CLP 2000 No.9 p62
Repealed legislation: State Drug Administration, Administration of Internet-based Pharmaceutical Information Services Tentative Provisions, Jan 11 2001, CLP 2001 No.2 p14