The new drug store is equipped with a video telephone hotline so customers can speak to a pharmacist or doctor via the networks.

Three local hospitals that are collaborating with the new pharmacy will provide the online medical consulting advice.

"The service is among the most advanced to be found in the Chinese mainland," said Cheng Dong, a local health official, in charge of the project.

"If the customers are not sure of the efficacy or dosage of a certain drug, they may ask doctors first," said Cheng.

The digital equipment will extend expert medical advice cover to 80 established pharmacies around the district by the end of next year.

When the system is fully in place local pharmacies and hospitals will be linked via the networks to form a gigantic drug database.

Under the network system, drug stores would be able to pool the expertise of pharmacists with hospitals, who in turn can be kept up to date about what drugs are available on the market, said Cheng.

Customers will also be able to search for the latest drugs on a database.

Counterfeit or out-of-date medical products will also be much harder to pass off onto unsuspecting customers, who will now be able to check the detailed information of each registered medical product via the networks, added Cheng.

The new high-tech pharmacies are part of the efforts being made by the city's health authority to digitize drug distribution outlets.

"Changning District is expected to set an example," said Cheng, who also revealed that other districts around the city would be digitized in the coming years with financial support from the local government.

(China Daily December 12, 2002)