We are in the digital world and we tend to use the internet to understand our health issues, while some of us go online to get prescription drugs.
However, many internet pharmacies are not registered, so getting medicines from them is unsafe. This is risky, as prescription medicines should be taken under the medical supervision. A GP’s guidance on whether a medicine is suitable for you, the dose, and possible side effects is crucial.
Medications brought from unregistered websites could also prove dangerous to your health, as they are outdated or even fake. An online chemist must request you a valid prescription before dispensing your medicines. You will need either a hand-written prescription or an electronic prescription through the NHS Electronic Prescription Service issued by a GP.
Once the online chemist receives your prescription, the medicine is dispensed and is ready for collection. Some online chemists provide free home delivery and send your medicine to the place of your choice. An online pharmacy is legal only if it is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
The GPhC operates an “internet pharmacy logo scheme” to help you recognise a legitimate online pharmacy so that you can be sure and get your medicines online.
The main problem is when people diagnose their own health problem and then try to get prescription medicines online without a valid prescription. The medicines bought online without a prescription may not be suitable for you and could even cause adverse effects or serious health issues.
Make sure you always get your medication from a pharmacy that is registered with GPhC and MHRA. It is always a bad idea to take a prescription medicine without a prescription. Check for the “GPhC internet pharmacy logo” before choosing an online chemist. You can even check the registration status of the dispensing pharmacist by looking for the details such as name and address of the pharmacy.
PharmacyOutlet is an online chemist that is registered with the GPhC and MHRA. It also offers the NHS Electronic & Repeat Prescription Service.