The established way to obtain medicines is from a pharmacist. Increasingly, however, purchases are being made over the internet. If you are thinking about buying what may be a prescription-only medicine, we strongly urged you to consult your doctor, rather than purchase the medicine direct from an internet supplier without a prescription.
It is important to take great care when buying medicines over the internet, particularly if the medicine concerned would normally only be available from your highstreet pharmacy.
If you buy prescription-only, OR over-the-counter medicines over the internet:
In the UK, medicines are categorised in various ways.
They can be bought without restriction, which is known as ‘over-the-counter’, (marked "GSL")
With advice and certain restrictions from a pharmacist, (marked "P")
and, where medicines are particularly potent, on prescription only, (marked POM).
These medicines can only be safely used under the care and supervision of suitably qualified healthcare professionals, who can advise on potential side effects, interactions with other medicines and on safe dosages.
Visit the Medicines & Healthcare Regulatory Authority web-site, for more advice concerning
purchasing Drugs via the Internet. Always be cautious- you may be buying fake products which
could have potentially dangerous consequences for your health!
It is important to take great care when buying medicines over the internet, particularly if the medicine concerned would normally only be available from your highstreet pharmacy.
If you buy prescription-only, OR over-the-counter medicines over the internet:
- they may not have been prescribed by a healthcare professional
- there may not be checks and controls on the quality and effectiveness of medicines supplied
- there may be no legal recourse in the event of problem.
there is the possibility that the purchased product may be a fake
In the UK, medicines are categorised in various ways.
They can be bought without restriction, which is known as ‘over-the-counter’, (marked "GSL")
With advice and certain restrictions from a pharmacist, (marked "P")
and, where medicines are particularly potent, on prescription only, (marked POM).
These medicines can only be safely used under the care and supervision of suitably qualified healthcare professionals, who can advise on potential side effects, interactions with other medicines and on safe dosages.
Visit the Medicines & Healthcare Regulatory Authority web-site, for more advice concerning
purchasing Drugs via the Internet. Always be cautious- you may be buying fake products which
could have potentially dangerous consequences for your health!
QUALITY ASSURANCE OF ONLINE PHARMACIES WITHIN THE UNITED KINGDOM-
If you feel you have to purchase Drugs or Medicines via the Internet, try to only use Online Pharmacies which display the Logo shown on the left- your assurance that the Pharmacy observes the Dispensing Policies and Quality Controls laid down by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.