Individuals wishing to sell goods online must register with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) starting from next year.

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Hamzah Zainuddin said his ministry was in the process of drafting regulations involving all sales of items, including one-offs.

"Even if it is only for selling one product such as a telephone online, it must be registered with SSM and the item needed to be sold within 30 days.

"If the item is not sold within 30 days, the seller will have to apply again for another 30 days period," he told reporters after officiating at the opening of the Constant Pharmacy branch yesterday.

Constant Pharmacy is collaborating with MyAngkasa, a subsidiary of Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Berhad (Angkasa) and Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PNS) to supply health products and services to cooperative members.

According to Hamzah, the move was aimed at ensuring consumer rights were guaranteed and avoiding fraud for online transactions.

Meanwhile he wanted more pharmacies to be opened in the rural areas to enable the people to obtain health product supplies and enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

He said it generated a total revenue worth RM48 billion (US$12 billion) for the country's healthcare market in 2014.

SSM could help in terms of loans to rural people who became pharmacists to set up their own pharmacy franchise, he said.

- Bernama