China approves online buying of medicine

China's State Food and Drug Administration has approved a list of 27 websites to sell medicine online to individuals.

The administration has stipulated that the 27 online pharmaceutical dealers could only sell over-the-counter (without prescription) medications to individual consumers, not to other businesses or medical institutions.

Many websites have been already selling drugs online but they weren't complying with any regulation. 

According to the provisional regulation regarding the online transaction of medicine, businesses selling medications online have to pass a regulatory review by the administration and receive a license. Their license code has to appear on the front page of their transaction websites. Licenses are valid for five years. 

The list of websites approved can be consulted on State Food and Drug Administration's website. Every organization which will obtain a new license will be added to the list.