Shopee, Lazada say merchants are obliged to comply with regulations

Merchants using retail platforms Shopee and Lazada are mandated to strictly comply with laws and regulations, the online retailers said amid calls by the Department of Health (DOH) to explain reports of medicine being sold over the internet without the necessary permits.

“Our sellers are to strictly comply with applicable local laws and regulations, and we will take appropriate actions if we find that they violate it,” Shopee said in a statement sent to GMA News Online on Wednesday.

“We carry zero tolerance on counterfeit and offensive products, and all products that violate our regulations, and we have comprehensive measures in place to deal with them,” Shopee said.

In a separate statement sent late Tuesday, Lazada, said merchants on the online platform are contractually obligated to be fully compliant with relevant and applicable local laws, regulations, and issuances.

“When purchasing regulated products, we encourage consumers to familiarize themselves with the relevant consumer information published by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), DOH and governing bodies,” Lazada said.

The DOH on Tuesday said it has issued summons for Shopee, Lazada, and a pharmacy in Iloilo to explain why they should not be penalized after receiving reports that they had been selling medicines online without the necessary permit.

Lazada said it will respond to the complaint raised by the FDA in due course, and cooperate with authorities regarding the investigation.

Shopee said it carries “zero tolerance” when it comes to counterfeit and offensive products. All products that violate regulations will be dealt with the comprehensive measures in place.

“We also have a listing team that regularly filters … our product listings to make sure that they do not violate regulations,” Shopee said.

“Should there be an alert on products that violate our regulations, our team will remove the listings and send the offending sellers a warning. Repeat offenders will be banned from selling on Shopee,” it said.

Lazada noted that it removes sellers or product listings and impose penalties on errant merchants if found selling regulated items following an investigation involving relevant stakeholders.

In an advisory dated June 11, the FDA warned against the absence of guarantee that medicines sold online are genuine. On top of that, these medicines are supposedly not stored properly.

The FDA also warned that online sale of medicine is illegal and that it only allows ordering of medicines over the internet provided that the seller has an existing FDA-licensed pharmacy with physical address.

Shopee said it is committed to protect the interest of all its customers, and offer safe and secure shopping environment to give users the best consumer experience.

“Our buyer protection program also guarantees accessible customer care channels , free returns, and refunds,” Lazada said. —Ted Cordero/VDS, GMA News