Buying medicines safely online

Advice and Information - 17 July 2026

Using online health services can help you manage your health by giving you access to care when it suits you. However, it’s important to make sure that any medicine, treatment or health advice you receive is safe.

If you're considering taking medication, it's important to do so with advice from a qualified healthcare professional. While buying medicines online can be convenient, it also carries risks. There are unregistered websites selling medicines that may not be genuine or haven’t been checked by a pharmacist.

Before buying any medicine online, make sure it has been prescribed or approved by a healthcare professional. This helps ensure the medicine is appropriate for your needs, safe to take, and provided at the correct dosage.

Advice on buying medicines online

The General Pharmaceutical Council has worked with other health organisations to develop a guide to help you keep safe when going online for medicines or treatment. You can access the guide here.

The guide includes six top tips to help you make sure that what you’re buying is safe and right for you: 

  • Check if the online healthcare service and healthcare professionals working there are registered with UK regulators.
  • Ask questions about how the service works.
  • Answer questions honestly about your health and medical history.
  • Find out your options for treatment and how to take any medicines you’re prescribed.
  • Expect to be asked for consent for information to be shared with other healthcare professionals involved in your care.
  • Check what after-care you will receive.

Using online pharmacies

All pharmacies in Great Britain, including those providing services online, must be registered with The General Pharmaceutical Council . They provide guidance to online pharmacies and inspect all registered pharmacies to check they meet standards for safe and effective care. 

Using registered services will give you assurance you can trust the service you’re using. 

How to make sure you use a registered online pharmacy 

Check whether the pharmacy website you’re using is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council to do this click here or you may see their abbreviation GPhC. This information is usually on their websites homepage or in the ‘About us’ section with their registration number. 

You can report a suspicious online seller of medicines or medical devices here.

Share your thoughts

You can help make health and care services better by sharing your experiences and ideas.

Talk to us

You might also be interested in

NHS dentist information

Are you having trouble finding an NHS dentist? Read our information on what to do if you’re experiencing problems.
Advice and Information
A female doctor showing a patient some written information

Referrals and your Right to Choose

When a healthcare professional, like your GP refers you for routine treatment, you can usually choose which hospital or service you go to, and sometimes even the team or consultant who treats you, if they offer the care you need.
Advice and Information