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20 Oct 2000, UK

Dear Dr. Ecommerce

I would like to know what, if any, enforcement action has been taken by the Commission to prevent the sales of unauthorised pharmaceutical products over the internet.

CM

Dear CM:

The European Commission has not taken any enforcement action in this matter. The actual enforcement in this issue is the task of the Member States. The normal regulations on selling pharmaceuticals apply on the Internet and it is up to the national authorities to oversee that these regulations are respected. To find about any national enforcement matters you would have to check with the authorities of that country.

You may want to check the recent electronic commerce directive, which includes provisions on regulated professions on the web. Running a pharmacy is a regulated profession in the Member States.

The Commission has also considered this matter in the Health and Consumer Protection Directorate General. Read, for example their document on the single market for pharmaceuticals (note: this is a PDF file). The document includes a short analysis on the implications of electronic commerce on pharmaceutical sales. Please check the Health and Consumer Protection DG for more web pages for more information.

Good luck with your pharmaceuticals,

Dr. Ecommerce