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Online Drug Sales UPDATE1
(Japan Economic Newswire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) TOKYO, March 7 -- (Kyodo) _ (EDS: ADDING INFORMATION IN FINAL 4 GRAFS)
The Japanese government's Regulatory Reform Council has decided to propose liberalizing online sales of nonprescription drugs in principle, sources familiar with the matter said Thursday.
The council is scheduled to meet Friday to call on the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to take necessary steps for liberalization, including revising the pharmaceutical affairs law.
The move came after the Supreme Court approved online sales of nonprescription drugs in January, ruling in favor of two Internet retailers who argued a health ministry ordinance banning such sales is illegal.
The council plans to discuss ways Friday to ensure safety as a prerequisite for liberalization, eyeing tracking sales records and restricting sales volume.
Also on Thursday, a group of Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers decided to submit a bill to the ongoing parliamentary session that seeks a ban on online sales of "category 1" drugs with high risks of side effects.
Category 1 covers hair growth treatments and some strong gastrointestinal agents.
As for "category 2" drugs, including common cold medicines, antifebriles and pain relievers, the LDP group plans to approve some of them for online sales as long as users examine their risks in advance.
Separately, health ministry officials are in talks to come up with new rules that would ensure users both convenience and safety.
(c) 2013 Kyodo News International, Inc.
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