Protect your health when buying medicines or medical devices online

Fake medicines can kill

Fake medical products (FakeMeds) bought online can lead to serious negative health consequences. It is illegal to sell fake or unauthorised medicines and medical devices in the UK.

If you buy from dodgy websites, scammers can not only rip you off through credit card fraud but also steal your identity.

The #FakeMeds campaign, run by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), helps you protect your health and money. It provides quick and easy tools to buy medical products online safely.

Nearly half (44%) of UK adults aged between 18–30 years old have bought medicine or medical product online. This, in turn, could pose a serious risk to your health, especially if you end up purchasing from a dodgy or illegal website.

Fake prescription and over-the-counter medicines not only fail to work but can also make you sick. Even worse, in the most severe cases, they may contain dangerous ingredients, potentially leading to death.

Learn how to spot a fake medicine or website.

Buy from a registered website or pharmacy

Registration status of UK websites with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), indicating if they are officially registered and meet regulatory standards for pharmaceutical services.

In Great Britain, check for this logo to confirm the website partners with a pharmacy registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council. Pharmacies choose to use the mark voluntarily. You can find the full list of registered pharmacies on the council’s website. Check for a registered pharmacy in Great Britain.

Northern Ireland sites registered as an online seller for medicines.

In Northern Ireland, check for this logo to confirm the website is authorised to sell medicines online. Check for a registered online seller in Northern Ireland.