China Food and Drug Administration has urged the halt of drug sales via third-party platforms. The CFDA sent directives to branches in Hebei, Shanghai, and Guangdong to stop drug sales on marketplace websites.

Purchasing medicines online sounds convenient. But customers now find that drugs are no longer available online via third-party platforms. For example, Tmall, the business-to-consumer site of Alibaba, ceased online sales of medicines.

"We will send your purchase requirement to online vendors. Then, our platform will not be involved in the subsequent process," Gao Shang, PR manager with Yao.Tmall.com, said.

The change of regulation ends China's trial of selling drugs products directly to consumers via online third-party platforms.

It is not only Tmall that is affected. Other e-commerce companies involved in the market, such as Yhd.com, have also received the same ban.

People are wondering why the trial operation, launched just one year ago, has ended.

"There are some new problems concerning online drug sales. For example, it is difficult to supervise prescription drugs and ensure quality. Therefore, the authority decided to end the trial," Associate professor with Chinese Academy of Governance Hu Yingliang said.

CFDA said the decision will not affect pharmacies or drug makers licensed to sell directly to costumers online.

Experts believe the new regulation highlights the difficulties in monitoring the quality of the drugs. They say customers should not purchase medicines, especially prescription drugs, via third-party platform for their own safety.