A deliveryman picks up medicine at a pharmacy in Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province in central China, on February 22 (XINHUA)

The Levofloxacin eyedrop, which is an antibiotic, can be bought only if prescribed by a doctor. However, it has been reported that people can buy it online without an e-prescription and pharmacist's signature.

Online drug channels were opened to make things convenient, fast and more affordable. For some common diseases such as cold and cough, the sufferers themselves can choose their medicines and buy them online. The process is faster and costs less. Also, those suffering from chronic diseases, who usually use the same prescriptions, can save time and avoid lengthy procedures this way.

However, the reality is that the low threshold and lack of adequate supervision has made some Internet platforms sell prescription medicines without an e-prescription from any Internet hospital or pharmacist's signature.

This creates a drug abuse risk. Given that some drugs have potential side effects, drug misuse and wrong dosage can result in a severe risk. This was why the authorities did not allow online sale of prescription drugs for a long time. Although this issue aroused debate during the revision of the Drug Administration Law, online sale of prescription drugs was eventually allowed under the premise of strict supervision.

According to the revised law, online trading should adhere to the same standards and principles, including ensuring the online shops have a business license, qualified pharmacists and other pharmaceutical personnel.

A document issued by the National Medical Products Administration asks that enterprises selling prescription drugs online should check electronic prescriptions and ensure their sources' reliability.

An information-sharing mechanism between pharmaceutical retail enterprises and the healthcare information system of hospitals can help improve the situation.

This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in Guancha.gmw.cn on December 4  

(Print Edition Title: Monitoring Online Drug Sales)