Buying Medicines Online Safely

HEALTH · GLOBAL

Buying Medicines Online Safely

Checking a pharmacy is registered, prescription-only medicines, counterfeits and what to avoid

Buying medicines online is convenient and is also where counterfeit and unsafe products reach people, so the checks matter.

Check the pharmacy is registered

In the UK, any site selling medicines must be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council and should display the registered pharmacy logo, which links to its entry on the official register. Check the register itself rather than trusting the logo.

In the EU, legitimate sellers display the common EU logo linking to the national regulator's list. A site without either should not be used.

Prescription-only means prescription-only

A legitimate service requires a consultation with a prescriber before supplying prescription medicines, and a real prescriber asks questions and sometimes says no. A site that sells antibiotics, strong painkillers or weight-loss injections from a tick-box form is not operating properly.

Never buy prescription medicines from a site that does not ask for a prescription.

Counterfeits

Regulators seize large quantities of falsified medicines every year, including products with no active ingredient, the wrong dose or contaminants. Erectile dysfunction, weight-loss and slimming products are among the most counterfeited.

Prices far below the market, no UK or EU address, and pressure to buy in bulk are the usual signals.

What to check on arrival

Intact packaging, a patient information leaflet in your language, an expiry date and a batch number. Report anything that looks wrong to the regulator and to your pharmacist.

Everyday medicines

For over-the-counter products, buying online from a registered pharmacy is straightforward and frequently cheaper. Check the expiry date on arrival and buy quantities you will use.

Ask a pharmacist rather than guessing which product suits, particularly with painkillers, since several contain the same active ingredient under different names and doubling up is easy.

Repeat prescriptions

Online pharmacy services can handle NHS repeats and deliver them, which suits anyone housebound or working long hours. They still need a prescription from your GP.

Order a week before you run out, since delays happen.

Travel

Check whether a medicine is legal at your destination, since some common ones are controlled elsewhere. Carry them in the original packaging with a copy of the prescription.

Weight-loss and lifestyle medicines

These are prescription medicines with real side effects and require proper assessment, monitoring and follow-up. A service that supplies them after a short online form without checking your history is not doing that.

Speak to a GP about weight, since there are several routes and the medicines suit some people and not others.

Tell your pharmacist everything

Including supplements and anything bought online, since interactions are the main avoidable risk.

Speak to a GP or pharmacist about symptoms rather than self-prescribing.

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