China to combat illegal online drug sales

BEIJING - The Chinese government launched a five-month campaign on Tuesday to combat illegal online pharmaceutical sales, the latest in a spate of efforts to clean up online activities.

The campaign will primarily focus on websites that have obtained Internet drug sale licenses but were found to have been involved in the promotion or sale of fake drugs, according to department authorities.

The campaign was jointly launched by China Food and Drug Administration, the State Internet Information Office, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Public Security and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, according to a statement issued by the departments.

Vendors who market drugs on the Internet without obtaining business licenses and those selling fake drugs will also be targeted during the campaign, the statement said.

Drugs for the treatment of tumors, sexual dysfunction, diabetes and high blood pressure have been listed as "major targets," according to the statement, adding that the campaign will also crack down on producers of counterfeit drugs.

Regulations relevant to online drug sales will be revised, and drug producers, traders and consumers are encouraged to provide tips in order to regulate online drug sales, it added.