Two pharmacies in Daishan county, Zhoushan, recently piloted an internet-based electronic prescription system, which officially began trial operations on Aug 25.

Through the new system, patients can receive prescriptions online after meeting with a doctor and submitting the results of their diagnosis onto an online platform.

Patients who already have a prescription can upload a photo of it online and purchase refills after verification.

The system will make things much easier on patients and will help to conserve local medical resources, according to local authorities.

The sale of prescription medicines by pharmacies has always been difficult to regulate, and this model will effectively solve this problem and ensure the legality of prescriptions, said an official from the county’s market regulation bureau.

Daishan will promote the internet-based electronic prescription system throughout the entire county from September 2019.