Health sector news

Drugs online cause GP fears

19/4/2009
A survey for 'GP' newspaper has found that one in four GPs has treated patients for adverse reactions to medication bought online. 85% of the respondents said they thought there should be tighter regulation of online pharmacies.

GPs are concerned that a high proportion of pharmaceuticals sold online may be counterfeit and may even contain dangerous ingredients. In addition, patients buying drugs online are not subjected to examination and could exaggerate or lie about their symptoms. Dispensing unsuitable drugs can lead to health risks as well as unwanted side-effects. Consumers are happy to buy medication online because they feel it will avoid embarrassment. In particular, illegal online pharmacies market drugs such as slimming pills, hair-loss treatments, anti-depressants and medications for erectile dysfunction.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society estimates that two million people in the UK regularly buy drugs over the internet and that this figure is rising. The Society runs a logo scheme for people to identify legitimate online pharmacies and is launching an awareness campaign to warn people of the dangers of counterfeit traders. The public is advised only to buy drugs with a prescription and from an internet site connected to a 'bricks and mortar' pharmacy.