Monday, August 10, 2009

Chinese dispensaries puzzled by legal revision

From Asahi.com:
Purveyors of Chinese herbal medicines--and their long-time mail-order customers-- are up in arms over a revised law that took effect June 1 banning sale of such medicines through the mail or online.

Advocates say the revised Pharmaceutical Affairs Law must be amended to allow the continued mail-order sales of Chinese herbal medicines.

Classified in the same category as drugs that carry a medium risk of side effects, medicines such as Chinese remedies, common cold medicines and analgesic fever reducers must now be sold over the counter by pharmacists or other specialists.

Like before the revision, buyers don't need a prescription.

In general, the only mail order or online sales of OTC drugs now permitted are items that have few side effects, such as vitamins and elixirs for stomach upsets. ...more

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