Yuyao market supervision bureau in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, recently issued the first business certificate for a medicine vending machine to Zhejiang Tongtaitang Medicine Retail Chain Stores.

People always have emergency needs of medicines at night. But for many medicine stores, opening 24 hours a day is too costly, especially as they may need security to prevent problems. Therefore, a medicine vending machine may be a better alternative.

At the beginning of this year, Ningbo market supervision bureau released a document for the business operation of medicine vending machines, which clearly stipulates the standards of operating a medicine vending machine. The document announced the launch of pilot programs for medicine vending machines in Ningbo's several counties including Yuyao and Xiangshan.

According to the document, pharmacies can apply to set up a medicine vending machine to sell nonprescription medicines.

As a part of the medicine store, business operation of medicine vending machines will be incorporated into the unified medicine business management system. The medicine vending machines should be managed by the medicine chain stores.