China issued regulation on internet pharmacy: opportunities for Chinese and foreign companies

September 2022

A new Chinese regulation, Administrative Measures for Supervision of Internet Pharmacy, opens the door wide for the operation of internet pharmacy businesses in China. The Measures, which come into effect on 1 December 2022, permit internet pharmacies and third-party internet platforms hosting internet pharmacies to sell both non-prescription (or over-the-counter) drugs and prescription drugs. Although controlled drugs are not within the scope of the Measures, the new rules present tremendous business opportunities to both local Chinese companies and foreign companies.

This guidance note summarises the key legal requirements for internet pharmacies and third-party platforms hosting internet pharmacies.

This publication was jointly published by PwC China and Tiang & Partners.

Tiang & Partners is an independent Hong Kong law firm that closely collaborates with the global PwC network.

For further discussions, please contact Chiang Ling Li at Tiang & Partners, or PwC contacts listed below.