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 local pharmacy.
If you are considering buying prescription only medicines over the Internet:
- there may not be checks and controls on the quality and effectiveness of medicines supplied; and
- there may be no legal recourse in the event of problem (link to ‘safe supply)
The RPSGB’s Code of Ethics currently requires that pharmacy websites display:
- the name of the owner of the business
- the address of the pharmacy at which the business is conducted
- the name of the Superintendent pharmacist where applicable
- details of how to confirm the registration status of the pharmacy and pharmacist.
The RPSGB has introduced a logo for UK registered pharmacies to use. Once widely rolled out it is intended that all registered pharmacy internet sites will be required to display the logo.