Yes, you can sell medical equipment on eBay, but it is not a good idea to list or sell medicine or medical equipment on eBay, as they can be a liability for eBay and the seller.
eBay has strict rules surrounding the sale of medicine. The sale of prescription drugs or drugs containing prescription-strength amounts of medication is completely prohibited.
Over-the-counter medication containing non-prescription strength drugs can be sold on eBay, but you are expected to clearly state the concentration of the drug in the description and it cannot be expired before the buyer gets it.
The company once stated that it is not in its role to oversee the buying and selling of medical devices on its service. “We don’t take responsibility for items sold on the site, we’re merely a marketplace.”
With 182 million active buyers, eBay is one of the largest online marketplaces in the world, and one of the most visited shopping platforms in the United States. That makes it a great place to earn extra cash as selling on eBay can bring in money with little to no upfront investment.
eBay requires sellers of medical devices that are state or federally regulated to include a disclaimer saying that buyers should not bid on the medical device unless they are an authorized purchaser.
The company has always maintained that it is the seller’s duty to confirm that the buyer is authorized to make the purchase. What, then, constitutes an authorized purchaser? That question should go to the Food and Drug Administration.
EBay’s Policy on the Sale of Medical Equipment/Devices
Indeed eBay has policies that help to protect the safety of its members while ensuring that important government regulations are followed. These policies include;
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Equipment Not Allowed
On eBay, a medical device that requires a prescription can’t be sold on eBay, including:
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machines (CPAP)
- Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) units, and any accessories that require a prescription
- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulators (TENS), and any accessories that require a prescription
- Oxygen concentrators, compressors, or conservers, and any accessories that require a prescription
- Nebulizers and their accessories
- Pulse oximeters that require a prescription
- Implantable devices, such as pacemakers, heart valves, vascular grafts, ventricular bypass devices, and implantable infusion pumps
- Needles, with or without a disposable syringe, and items that have passed their expiration date are also prohibited.
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Listing Restrictions
- Listings are expected to state in the item description if the device has been opened or used: Used items have to also be properly cleaned and they must not be altered in any way that changes the performance or safety specifications of the device
- The item description should clearly state the product expiration date and the items must reach the buyer before the expiration date
- Some medical devices can only be sold with government authorization. Listings for these items must follow the rules like being Items listed in the Business & Industrial > Healthcare, Lab & Dental category.
- Also, note that the following information are expected to be included in the item description:
- The seller’s name, city, state, and telephone number
- The seller’s Business title=”business name” data-wpil-keyword-link=”linked”>business name, if applicable
- A statement that the item has been cleaned and handled in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
- A copy of the following statement: “The sale of this item may be subject to regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and state and local regulatory agencies. If so, do not bid on this item unless you are an authorized purchaser. If the item is subject to FDA regulation, I will verify your status as an authorized purchaser of this item before shipping of the item.”
- Listings for hearing aids are expected to include the following FDA disclaimer: “According to the FDA, it is in your best health interest to obtain a professional medical evaluation before purchasing a hearing aid and you are encouraged to do so before bidding on this item.
If you choose to not obtain a medical evaluation before purchasing this item, I am required by law to provide to you and obtain from you a signed written waiver of the medical evaluation, and I am required to provide to you a copy of the User Instruction Brochure for a hearing aid, review the contents of that brochure with you, and afford you time to read the brochure.
You must provide to me either a signed statement from a physician or a signed waiver before I will deliver this item to you.
Upon your request, I will also provide to you a copy of the User Instructional Brochure for the hearing aid or the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor from whom a User Instructional Brochure for the hearing aid can be obtained.”
Conclusion
Indeed the best options available for selling used medical equipment include eBay and craigslist or other local buy and sell sites.
However, the difficulty with offering medical equipment is that you have to find a customer who is searching for exactly what you sell at a fair price. Often times, manufacturers/suppliers will buy back some products depending on their condition.