Controlled drugs or items (or their components) that require a prescription from a licensed practitioner (such as a doctor, dentist, ophthalmologist or optometrist) are not permitted on eBay; this includes drugs prescribed by veterinarians for animals. Under Singapore law, it is an offence to sell, supply or export any medicinal product without a product licence. In particular, the Medicines Act (Cap 176) requires all medicinal products sold in Singapore and manufactured locally for export, to be licensed with the Centre for Drug Administration, Health Sciences Authority - opens in new window or tab. The Medicines (Advertisement and Sale) Act (Cap 177) also prohibits advertisements of medicines relating to certain diseases like diabetes, epilepsy or hypertension. All products which are not stated in the General Sale List are prohibited from sale on eBay.
Activity on eBay is required to follow this policy, the eBay User Agreement and all applicable laws, as well as respect the rights of third parties. If it doesn’t, eBay may take action consistent with applicable laws and the eBay User Agreement, and may even be legally required to do so. Such actions may include, as an example only: Removing the listing or other content, issuing a warning, restricting activity or account suspension.
Some Examples
Examples of Prescription Drugs on the General Sale List (which do not require pharmacist prescription):
- Afrin Nasal Spray
- Cough Relief Syrup
- Egoderm Cream
For more information, please refer to the Medicines (General Sale List) Order.
Examples of non-medicinal products
- ginseng tea
- high protein preparations or substances used for slimming
- mouthwashes and gargles for bad breath and for general oral hygiene
Additional Information
“Medicinal product” is defined in the Medicines Act (Cap 167) - opens in new window or tabas any substance or article (not being an instrument, apparatus or appliance) which is manufactured, sold, supplied, imported or exported for use wholly or mainly in either or both of the following ways:
(a) use by being administered to one or more human beings or animals for a medicinal purpose;
(b) use as an ingredient in the preparation of a substance or article which is to be administered to one or more human beings or animals for a medicinal purpose.
The definition of ‘medicinal product’ does not include:
(a) any substance or article which is manufactured for use wholly or mainly by being administered to one or more human beings or animals, where it is to be administered to them —
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in the course of the business of the manufacturer or on behalf of the manufacturer in the course of the business of a laboratory or research establishment carried on by another person;
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solely by way of a test for ascertaining what effects it has when so administered; and
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in circumstances where the manufacturer has no knowledge of any evidence that those effects are likely to be beneficial to those human beings, or beneficial to, or otherwise advantageous in relation to, those animals, as the case may be,
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and which (having been so manufactured) is not sold, supplied or exported for use wholly or mainly in any way not fulfilling all the conditions specified in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c).
(b) substances used in dental surgery for filling dental cavities;
(c) bandages and other surgical dressings, except medicated dressings where the medication has a palliative or curative function which is not limited to sterilising the dressings; and
(d) substances and articles of such other description or classes as may be specified by order made by the Minister.
A product licence is required to :
(a) sell, supply or export any medicinal product;
(b) procure the sale, supply or exportation of any medicinal product; or
(c) procure the manufacture or assembly of any medicinal product for sale, supply or exportation
(d) import any medicinal product (unless the person has an import licence).
- Chinese proprietary medicines are exempted from licensing requirements. For more information, please see the Medicines (Traditional Medicines, Homeopathic Medicines and other Substances) (Exemption) Order.
- The sale of health supplements is also regulated. For more information, please refer to the Guidelines for Health Supplements - opens in new window or tab.
Why does eBay have this policy?
eBay urges its sellers and buyers to comply with all governmental laws and regulations. Since the sale of prescription drugs are prohibited by law, regulated or may cause harm to eBay or its members, sellers may not list them on eBay.