Buying medicines online

It is important to take great care when buying medicines online, particularly if the medicine is only available from a pharmacy. If you buy medicines online, you may be putting yourself at serious risk of harm.

Risks of buying medicines online

Many websites selling medicines are not registered as pharmacies, so buying from them is potentially unsafe.

Buying prescription-only medicines from unauthorised sources significantly increases the risk of getting substandard or fake medicines.

If you buy medicines without consulting a suitable healthcare professional, you risk getting medicine that isn't safe or is unsuitable for you.

Medicines bought online may not meet UK regulatory and quality standards.

You can check if an online pharmacy is registered with UK regulators at the links below:

Anyone in Northern Ireland selling medicines online must display an EU common logo, known as the Distance Selling logo, on every page of the website offering medicines for sale to the public.

This logo helps identify legitimate sellers.

You can check if a website is legally allowed to sell medicines to the public in Northern Ireland at the link below:

Distance selling logo

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Buying medicines online

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What to do next

Carer's Allowance

Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

Disability Living Allowance

Employment and Support Allowance

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Personal Independence Payment

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Buying medicines online

Risks of buying medicines online

More useful links

Help improve this page - send your feedback

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What to do next

Carer's Allowance

Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

Disability Living Allowance

Employment and Support Allowance

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Personal Independence Payment