The health ministry said Friday it will ban Internet sales of most general medicines — including nonprescription cold medicines — to heighten consumer safety.
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry announced the step in an ordinance to be adopted when the revised Pharmaceutical Affairs Law is put into place June 1.
The announcement is likely to add fuel to an already heated controversy. Online drugstores and experts on state regulatory reforms have long opposed the Net-sale ban, arguing it would undermine convenience to consumers.
Critics point out that with the ban in place, cold sufferers might have to leave home to buy medicine over the counter. The ban is also being criticized for inevitably reducing sales channels for the pharmaceutical industry.
Responding to the ministry move, an association of online drugstores and operators of Web shopping malls, including Yahoo Japan Corp. and Rakuten Inc., immediately issued a joint statement of protest, urging the ministry not to impose the ban.
Among general medicines, most, including cold medicines, must be sold over the counter due to the risk of side effects, the ministry said, confirming its initial policy against their sale over the Internet.
Under the new ordinance, the sale of medicine online will be allowed only for less risky products, including vitamin supplements, the ministry said.
Health minister Yoichi Masuzoe earlier revealed a plan to set up a study panel to examine the possible effects of the latest measure on the industry, consumers and other parties.