Duncan Rudkin, Chief Executive of the General Pharmaceutical Council, said:
“Recent reports have highlighted that there are thousands of illegal websites falsely claiming to be pharmacies and selling medicines to people without a consultation or a prescription.
“We are also aware of concerns that people taking medicines used for weight management may turn to illegal online sellers to obtain these medicines at a lower cost, following recent announcements of price rises and stock shortages.
“We would urge people to make sure any prescription medicines they get online are dispensed from a pharmacy registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council. You can check if a pharmacy is registered with us by searching our registers on our website at www.pharmacyregulation.org/registers
“Anyone using illegal websites is taking a huge risk with their health, as they may receive counterfeit medicines that contain dangerous ingredients. Even if the medicine is genuine, it may not be appropriate for them and could cause them real harm.
“We have published a guide with other UK health organisations to help people keep safe if they decide to use online services. This includes top tips of how to keep safe when going online for medicines or treatment.
“We work very closely with the MHRA, which is the lead regulator responsible for tackling the illegal online trade of medicines. The MHRA removes hundreds of illegal websites each year, and has recently launched two new tools to help the public check if a website is known to be selling medicines illegally and is not recommended, and for people to report suspicious online sellers of medicines or medical devices.”
Gisela Abbam, Chair of the GPhC, said:
“Patient safety is the top priority for the Council. That’s why we are working closely with other regulators, including the MHRA, to raise awareness among the public of the risks of buying medicines from illegal online sources.
“Checking an online pharmacy is registered with the GPhC only takes a few minutes, and will help make sure people get advice and treatment that is right for them and won’t cause them harm.”
For further information, please contact Rachael Gould, Head of Communications: rachael.gould@pharmacyregulation.org