A guide to buying medicines safely online
Published: 16 July 2026
Buying medicines, herbal products and food supplements online can be a safe and convenient way to access healthcare and support your wellbeing. To help protect your health, it’s important to buy from trusted sources and know what to look out for before making a purchase.
Whether you’re buying a prescription medicine, an over-the-counter treatment or a food supplement, following these simple tips can help you make informed choices and reduce the risk of buying products that are not what they claim to be.
1. Buy medicines from a registered online pharmacy
When buying medicine online, check that the pharmacy is registered with the pharmacy regulator, the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). It sets safety standards and inspects all pharmacies against them.
You can check if a pharmacy is registered using the regulator’s pharmacy register.
Remember: if a pharmacy isn’t on the register, don’t buy from it.
2. Buy herbal products and food supplements from reputable retailers
Many herbal products and food supplements are available from pharmacies as well as reputable retailers.
Be cautious of products making unrealistic health claims or sold through unverified websites, social media or online marketplaces where you can’t be confident about who is selling them or what they contain.
If you’re unsure whether a product is genuine or suitable for you, speak to a pharmacist before buying or taking it.
3. Expect to be asked questions about your health
If you’re buying a prescription medicine online, you should expect healthcare professionals to ask questions about your symptoms, medical history, allergies and other medicines you are taking.
These questions are there to make sure any medicine is safe and appropriate for you.
Always answer honestly and accurately so healthcare professionals can provide the safest advice.
4. Be wary of products that seem too good to be true
Be cautious if you see:
- Prescription medicines offered without a prescription — this is illegal;
- Products claiming miracle results;
- Medicines sold at unusually low prices;
- Offers promoted through spam emails or social media;
- Websites with little or no contact information.
Products sold by unregulated sites may contain the wrong ingredients or dose, or may not have been handled safely.
5. Know what support you should receive
A reputable online healthcare service should explain how the service works, who is prescribing your medicine, how to take your medicine safely, and what aftercare and support is available.
You should feel able to ask questions and receive clear answers before deciding whether a treatment is right for you.
If you’re concerned about a medicine or health product you’ve bought
If you’ve bought a medicine, herbal product or food supplement and you experience unexpected side effects after taking it, or are concerned it may not be genuine, seek advice from a pharmacist or another healthcare professional.
You can also report suspected side effects of medicines through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.
Pharmacists are here to help
Pharmacists are experts in medicines and can provide trusted advice about medicines, herbal products and food supplements.
If you’re unsure whether an online pharmacy is registered, have questions about a product you’ve bought or want advice before buying a medicine or supplement, speak to a pharmacist. They can help you make informed decisions and use medicines safely.
Hear more from Laura on BBC Radio 4 You and Yours, where she discusses buying medicines safely and the risks of products from unverified sellers. Listen on BBC Sounds.
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