OBJECTIVE To study th e effects of drug circulation supervision on online drug retailing within different time span，and to provide reference for network drug circulation supervision. METHODS Based on the research hypothesis ，a scale was designed to verify the relationship between variables. Questionnaire was used for data collection. Structure equation modeling （SEM）was applied in verifying relationships between variables after exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis ， which aimed to test reliability and validity. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS Result of SEM indicated that drug circulation supervision had a positive significant impact upon online drug retailing within different time spans ，but its intensity varied. Specifically，the influence intensity of drug circulation supervision on retail mode and online prescription decreased with the longer time span ；the influence intensity on the types of online drugs were relatively balanced within different time spans ；the intensity of the impact on the retail cost of online pharmacies increased with the longer time span. Results of further analysis suggested that there were also differences in the weights of observed variables in drug circulation supervision and the weight of information regulation was the lowest. Accordingly，it is suggested to strengthen industry linkage ，standardize retail methods ，coordinate digital supervision system ，strengthen online prescription management ，refine supervision methods ，implement classified supervision ， buffer adverse effects and reduce enterprise costs.