Rules would tighten online drug sales

Drugstore chains will be forbidden from selling prescription medicines on the internet, according to a draft regulation released by the China Food and Drug Administration.

Violators will receive fines of 5,000 to 20,000 yuan ($750 to $3,000), according to the draft, which was released on Tuesday. Public comment will be sought until Nov 30.

Drug sales online for nonprescription medicines will be scrutinized by food and drug authorities using standards as strict as those for offline sales, according to the draft. Producers of pharmaceuticals or wholesalers will not be able to sell medicines directly to individuals online.