Quantitative assessment of china’s policies on the online sale of prescription drugs
4 affiliations
- 1School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei Anhui, China
- 2Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei Anhui, China
- 3Anhui Provincial Drug Regulatory Scientific Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei Anhui, China
- 4Key Laboratory of Public Health Social Governance, Philosophy and Social Sciences of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei Anhui, China
Abstract
Against the dual backdrop of the rapid advancement of big data-driven healthcare and the COVID-19 pandemic, China has gradually relaxed restrictions on the online sale of prescription drugs. However, the regulatory framework governing this sector remains in its early stage of development, and existing policy gaps pose substantial risks to public medication safety, highlighting the urgent need for further policy refinement. This study quantitatively analyzed China’s policies on the online sale of prescription drugs, thus providing valuable insights for the development and improvement of future policies. Using ROST CM6.0, text mining was conducted on 18 policies governing the online sale of prescription drugs issued between 1999 and 2023. A Policy Model Consistency (PMC) model was established based on 10 primary variables and 35 secondary variables. The analysis yielded an average PMC index of 6.28, resulting in an overall policy rating of “good.” Among the 18 policies, 6 were classified as excellent and 12 as good, with no policies rated as perfect or unqualified. Amid the continuous exploration of policy and reforms, China’s policy system for the online sale of prescription drugs has been gradually improved. Current policies place strong emphasis on the efficiency of smart approaches and the steady development of an intelligent regulatory system. However, considerable opportunities for optimization remains in key areas, including the whole-process regulatory system for the online sale of prescription drugs, the collaborative participation of medical institutions, and the standardized governance of third-party platforms. Future policies should focus on the regulations governing the online sale of prescription drugs by clarifying the boundaries, rights and responsibilities of each subject while refining and standardizing their code of conduct. Multidepartment collaboration should also be strengthened by encouraging industry associations in the development of an intelligent regulatory team, thereby promoting the establishment of a three-dimensional digital regulatory pattern.
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BibTeX
@article{zhang2026quantitative,
title = {{Quantitative assessment of china’s policies on the online sale of prescription drugs}},
author = {Yuhang Zhang and Yuanyuan Zhang and Chenjian Zhao and Xingjuan Xu and Guoqing Wang and Xuefeng Xie},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0358484},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0358484},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Quantitative assessment of china’s policies on the online sale of prescription drugs
AU - Yuhang Zhang
AU - Yuanyuan Zhang
AU - Chenjian Zhao
AU - Xingjuan Xu
AU - Guoqing Wang
AU - Xuefeng Xie
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/23
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0358484
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0358484
AB - Against the dual backdrop of the rapid advancement of big data-driven healthcare and the COVID-19 pandemic, China has gradually relaxed restrictions on the online sale of prescription drugs. However, the regulatory framework governing this sector remains in its early stage of development, and existing policy gaps pose substantial risks to public medication safety, highlighting the urgent need for further policy refinement. This study quantitatively analyzed China’s policies on the online sale of prescription drugs, thus providing valuable insights for the development and improvement of future policies. Using ROST CM6.0, text mining was conducted on 18 policies governing the online sale of prescription drugs issued between 1999 and 2023. A Policy Model Consistency (PMC) model was established based on 10 primary variables and 35 secondary variables. The analysis yielded an average PMC index of 6.28, resulting in an overall policy rating of “good.” Among the 18 policies, 6 were classified as excellent and 12 as good, with no policies rated as perfect or unqualified. Amid the continuous exploration of policy and reforms, China’s policy system for the online sale of prescription drugs has been gradually improved. Current policies place strong emphasis on the efficiency of smart approaches and the steady development of an intelligent regulatory system. However, considerable opportunities for optimization remains in key areas, including the whole-process regulatory system for the online sale of prescription drugs, the collaborative participation of medical institutions, and the standardized governance of third-party platforms. Future policies should focus on the regulations governing the online sale of prescription drugs by clarifying the boundaries, rights and responsibilities of each subject while refining and standardizing their code of conduct. Multidepartment collaboration should also be strengthened by encouraging industry associations in the development of an intelligent regulatory team, thereby promoting the establishment of a three-dimensional digital regulatory pattern.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -