On September 18, a report from the National Medical Products Administration highlighted ongoing efforts by various drug supervision and management agencies to enhance drug safety in accordance with directives from the central government. This initiative aims to strengthen drug oversight, crack down on illegal online drug sales, and safeguard public health. The release of the sixth batch of typical cases related to illegal online drug sales underscores these efforts.
**Case 1: Illegal Drug Transactions at Xiu Yuan Pharmacy Chain Co., Ltd.**
In January 2023, the Shandong Provincial Drug Administration conducted an inspection of Xiu Yuan Pharmacy Chain Co., Ltd. in Linyi City after receiving a tip-off. Inspectors found that the pharmacy was illegally selling “Apatinib Mesylate Tablets” on the JD.com platform, having acquired the drugs through unauthorized channels, with a total value of 46,900 yuan. This was a clear violation of Article 55 of the Drug Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China. As a result, in April 2023, the Shandong Provincial Drug Administration issued a warning and imposed an administrative penalty including the confiscation of the illegal gains and a fine of 150,000 yuan.
**Case 2: Unlicensed Online Drug Sales by Peng**
In April 2023, responding to complaints, the Taizhou Market Supervision Administration in Zhejiang Province, working alongside local police, inspected the vicinity of a local hospital. They discovered that an individual named Peng was selling drugs, including Semaglutide injections, online without a valid drug operating license through various platforms. The total value involved reached 127,500 yuan, violating Article 51 of the Drug Administration Law. In September 2023, the administration imposed penalties that included the confiscation of illegal drugs, the seizure of 117,600 yuan in illegal gains, and a hefty fine of 2.55 million yuan.
**Case 3: Counterfeit Drug Production and Sale by Ye and Associates**
In September 2023, the Guangdong Provincial Drug Administration, along with police forces, carried out inspections in multiple cities as part of routine monitoring. They uncovered that Ye and several accomplices were procuring raw materials via platforms like WeChat and Alibaba to produce and sell weight-loss drugs containing Semaglutide without the required production or sales permits. The value in this case was an alarming 35 million yuan, leading the Guangzhou Market Supervision Administration to transfer the case to law enforcement in November 2023.
**Case 4: Unauthorized Drug Sales by Wan and Collaborators**
In January 2024, the Tongling Market Supervision Administration in Anhui Province inspected a skincare shop in Wusong Town and discovered that Wan and another individual were selling injectable medications containing Semaglutide without the necessary sales licenses or required drug approval documentation, amounting to over 10 million yuan. This case was forwarded to law enforcement in February 2024.
**Consumer and Compliance Advisory:**
1. Consumers intending to purchase medications online should be vigilant about two critical qualifications: first, confirm that the pharmacy has a retail drug license clearly displayed on their website; and second, ensure that the medication possesses a registration certificate issued by the National Medical Products Administration. If you encounter sales of drugs lacking proper qualifications or any other illegal practices, please report them to your local drug supervision authority without delay.
2. Medications like Semaglutide, Liraglutide, and Tirzepatide are prescription-only treatments for diabetes, with some approved for managing overweight and obesity, but they come with strict eligibility criteria. The use of these medications should always be supervised by a physician, and they must be obtained through legitimate channels with a prescription. Self-medicating outside of the approved demographic can lead to severe gastrointestinal issues and health risks. Purchasing these drugs from unverified sources or acquiring products claiming to have similar ingredients without proper approvals can result in exposure to unknown substances, incorrect dosages, and serious adverse reactions that could potentially be life-threatening.
