Abstract
As people get broader access to health information through the internet, there is a greater need for measure to maximize the social advantages of the internet and to minimize negative side-effects. With this concern, this paper classifies internet health information services sites into : on-line supply of health information, on-line consultation, on-line diagnosis, and on-line sales. As well this paper analyzes domestic laws supporting and/or regulating these services. The efficient provision of internet health services requires comprehensive laws on individual privacy protection, prevention and handling of medical accidents, an electronic prescription form for internet diagnosis, electronic signing, payment for medical expenses, qualifications for internet medical practitioners. Additional laws are required to establish internet pharmacies and internet health goods stores. These new laws can be prepared either separately or through revision of existing laws governing medical practice, pharmacies, and public health promotion. However, as the legal control by the government on cyber processes and entities has a fairly minimal effect, consumers should be encouraged to improve their own capacity for wisely using internet health services and health-service providers should be encouraged to promote voluntary supervision and control of their own services and practices.
