DetailsRecently Osaka police arrested eight Chinese citizens and one Japanese citizen on suspicion of illegal hoarding and selling prescription drugs. The arrested persons included business persons and international students, most of whom had worked in drugstores. The police confiscated about 140,000 prescription drugs for the treatment of diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure from one of the arrested persons.
Due to the popularity of Japanese medicine in China, the number of cases about unlicensed sales of prescription drugs is on the rise. However, prescription drugs in Japan are strictly controlled. Those who hoard or resell prescription drugs without permission are suspected of breaking the law and may be punished by imprisonment for up to five years and a fine up to 5 million yen (about RMB 300,000). Even if someone did not resell the medicine, giving the prescription drugs to someone else for free may violate the rules of “prohibition of unlicensed medical practice”. If the drugs given to others causes serious consequences, the donors may have to bear the corresponding liability.
Some consumers bought the drugs because of the propaganda of sellers without realizing that they were buying prescription drugs. Once consumers have problems with the medication, it is difficult to find the responsible person and the rights of consumers cannot be protected.
Chinese nationals should be alert to the risks of illicit trading of prescription drugs in Japan. According to the relevant Japanese laws, medical institutions are not allowed to sell prescription drugs to non-users. In the event of illegal transactions, both the sellers and the buyers will bear corresponding legal liabilities. If you do need medication, please go to a medical institution with proper qualifications, follow the doctor's advice and purchase the prescribed drugs according to the doctor's prescription. Do not buy, hoard or carry prescription drugs of unknown sources. Chinese citizens must not trade prescription drugs illegally.