Get it right

Good advice, correct information, regulated pharmacies and useful organisations can be found online, you just need to know where to look. This section helps you find out where to go and what to do.

Want to buy medicines online?

Buying medicines from websites that are not part of registered pharmacies can present a number of risks. There is no assurance that an appropriately qualified health professional will assess whether the medicine is safe and appropriate for you to use, or advise you on how the medication should be taken. The safety and quality of medicines sold by unregistered internet suppliers cannot be guaranteed.

An approved UK online pharmacy will be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). To find out more go to http://www.pharmacyregulation.org/.

Want to know more about your medicine?

The Patient Information Leaflet (the leaflets provided with your medicine) and the Summary of Product Characteristics can be found on the Electronic Medicines Compendium web site.

Worried about your medicine?

To report a side effect of a medicine you can go to any pharmacist or doctor or visit http://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/.

For any Pfizer medicine (bearing the Pfizer logo) you can contact Pfizer Drug Safety by telephone:
0845 300 8031 or fax: 0845 300 8032.

Think that your medicine might be fake?

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency monitor medicines and medical devices sold or distributed in the UK. We have powers which enable us to prosecute those who manufacture and distribute counterfeit products in the UK. If you have been offered what you suspect to be counterfeit products, or have seen them for sale or have bought them we would like you to tell us. Contact us by emailing the Enforcement Group at counterfeit@mhra.gsi.gov.uk or call our dedicated 24 hour counterfeit hotline 020 3080 6701, or you can write to us at 151 Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria, London, SW1W 9SZ.

For more information visit www.mhra.gov.uk/buy-medicines-online

Want to get a prescription?

In most cases, a prescription is usually only provided following a face to face consultation with your doctor, nurse or other registered health professional. However, genuine medical care can also be provided by some healthcare providers online. Some of these healthcare providers will be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and employ General Medical Council (GMC) registered medical practitioners. Not all online healthcare providers need to be legally registered by the Care Quality Commission though.

Websites run by registered services might include a link to their registration details on the CQC website and you can check the authenticity of such registered services by looking up their entry on the CQC database.

Want to support our campaign?

If you would like to comment or ask a question about the Real Danger web site, or the cinema advertising, please use our contact form.

Want to warn friends and family about the dangers of counterfeit medicines?

If you know anyone who buys on-line, let them know about the real dangers.