Buying Medicines Online - NPA Advice

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Also Included In: IT / Internet / E-mail
Article Date: 17 Apr 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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The NPA shares concerns of GPs that patients are suffering adverse reactions caused by medicines bought over the internet. (GP magazine, 17 April 2009) and would advise members of the public to be aware of the risks and talk to their local pharmacist if they have concerns.

People do need to be aware that medicines purchased over the internet may not be to the same standard as those obtained from a UK pharmacy. If they do want to buy medicines in this way, they should verify that the website is genuine and reputable - look for:

- the name of the owner of the business
- the address of the pharmacy at which the business is conducted
- details of how to confirm the registration status of the pharmacy and pharmacist.

John Turk, Chief Executive of the NPA, adds:

"Before purchasing from outside the UK patients should be aware that medicines with a familiar UK brand name may contain different active ingredients. People will also receive information in a language not native to them which may cause problems knowing which dose to take, or if it might interact with medicines they are already taking. The pharmacy regulator, The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, has introduced a logo for UK registered pharmacies to use.

"We would advise patients to talk to their local pharmacist if they have any concerns about purchasing a medicine over the internet."

Source
National Pharmacy Association

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