Are NHS online pharmacies safe?
The way medicines are supplied has taken on a new dimension with the development of online pharmacy services. Consumer habits have changed partly due to the COVID pandemic and using online pharmacies provides convenience alongside discretion for managing certain embarrassing conditions. Some sites also offer prescriber services, where you have an online doctor consultation and a prescription is then sent to a pharmacy for dispensing.
It is something that appeals to patients and is an increasingly common way to access medicines and health services. However, all services providing medicines must ensure patient safety and should have the necessary accreditations. Read on to find out what you should look out for to recognise legitimate online pharmacies and avoid illegal online pharmacies.
Three regulatory bodies
There are three regulatory bodies to look out for that are regarded as the seal of approval for online pharmacies: CQC (Care Quality Commission) regulated, GPhC (General Pharmaceutical Council) approved, and MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency) registered.
CQC (Care Quality Commission) regulated
The CQC regulation is one of the most important accreditations that a pharmacy can have because it confirms it is a pharmacy provider with the highest compliance and standards. Before using an online pharmacy check that they appear on the CQC register. A CQC inspection and rating gives you confidence that the pharmacy has adequate insurance, operates with fully qualified healthcare professionals, and meets the compulsory clinical and regulatory standards to function in the UK.
Here at NowPatient, we are proud to announce that we were the UK’s first digital health provider to be recognised for a safe and quality service with no recommendations for improvement by the CQC. We also have been given a thumbs up from the NHS by placing our service in the NHS digital Library, endorsing its use.
GPhC (General Pharmaceutical Council) approved
All pharmacies and internet pharmacies in Great Britain must be accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Their logo is a green registered pharmacy icon and should be displayed on online pharmacy websites to identify them as legitimate online pharmacies. This logo gives you the assurance you are buying safe and genuine medicines online. All GPhC logos show a green cross, with the words “Registered Pharmacy” across it and a registration number.
It is important to note displaying this logo is only voluntary therefore checking the GPhC register before using a pharmacy is advised. You can also go to (NHS find a pharmacy link) and search for a pharmacy using your location.
You can also access our most recent report from the GPhC by following the link below.
https://inspections.pharmacyregulation.org/pharmacy/detail/ info health-pharmacy-1036487
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency
The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care that governs the safety, quality, and efficacy of medicines and medical devices in the UK. Before the 1st of January 2021, the MHRA required online pharmacies to display the Distance Selling Logo in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) on their web page. This was used to help members of the public identify websites selling medicines as legitimate.
From 1 January 2021, the EU distance-selling logo for the online sales of medicines to the public will only be used in Northern Ireland. For Great Britain, the MHRA will be considering an alternative to the use of the Distance Selling Logo in the future. However, they still have the power to prosecute those who manufacture and distribute counterfeit products illegally in the UK.
What’s the difference between a community pharmacy and an online pharmacy?
A community pharmacy is what you would consider your local pharmacy. It is also known as a retail pharmacy and can also be described as a brick-and-mortar pharmacy. It is a setting where a healthcare professional i.e. a pharmacist is present and the public can access prescription medicines and other healthcare services in person. Community pharmacies can still provide online services alongside operating their store.
An online pharmacy sometimes called an internet pharmacy, works solely online. They operate through a website or app where you can order NHS prescriptions online.
NowPatient connects directly with GPs through the NHS network. This means your medication records are ‘accessed’ from the NHS and will be viewable on the App. Using the App, you will be able to place orders for the medications you require. This request is sent directly to your GP practice. When approved, the prescription is electronically sent via the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) from a GP or another healthcare professional to NowPatient, and it can be safely dispensed and delivered by us. Some of the features of using an online pharmacy such as NowPatient include:
- Connect to your GP practice
- View past/upcoming appointments
- Book appointments
- View current medication
- Order repeat prescriptions
NowPatient allows, with your consent to add a loved one or a carer to the service to manage your medications. This can be useful for elderly relatives or young children, who would otherwise find it difficult to manage their medication requests and supplies.
NowPatient can also offer live video consultations with our pharmacists. This can be useful for:
- General medical advice
- Advice on medication
- Advice on what to do if you miss a dose of your medication
- Advice on what to do if you suffer from side effects of your medication
- Stop smoking advice
- Asthma inhaler use and advice
- Weight management advice
- If you’re prescribed a medicine to treat a long-term condition for the first time, you may be able to get extra help and advice about your medicine from your local pharmacist through a free scheme called the New Medicine Service (NMS). People often have problems when they start a new medicine
Some simple checks to choose a safe online pharmacy
- Does the site belong to a registered UK-based pharmacy? If not, there is no likelihood of a healthcare professional making checks
- Can you call up and speak to a licensed pharmacist?
- Is the GPhC logo visible on the site?
- Does the registered pharmacy link work?
- Are they offering prescription-only medicines without a prescription? This type of medication can only be supplied after a consultation with a doctor
- Check for secure payment options. A small padlock in the address bar confirms the information is encrypted
- Check reviews to spot a scam online pharmacy
- Does the website look genuine? Correct spelling and grammar?
The risk of using unregulated websites for medicines includes receiving an inferior product with none to few active ingredients; the medicine may have serious side effects or may be toxic. Always be vigilant when using online pharmacies. You should rightly expect all online pharmacy services to focus on patient safety and deliver a service of high quality and standards, equivalent to a ”bricks and mortar” pharmacy.
Sources
- Buying medicines safely online – Pharmacy Regulations
- Find a Pharmacy – NHS
- Register of authorised online sellers of Medicines – MHRA
Medical Disclaimer
NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information on this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.
The information provided here about medications is subject to change and is not meant to include all uses, precautions, warnings, directions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or negative effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular medication does not imply that the medication or medication combination is appropriate for all patients or for all possible purposes.
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UK users can safely and securely buy medicines online that treat a wide range of medical conditions. UK customers can also order NHS prescriptions online with the benefit of free tracked delivery.
US customers, regardless of insurance coverage, can enjoy huge savings on prescription medications using our various drug savings programs including drug coupons, savings card and manufacturer-sponsored patient assistance programs.
Where is NowPatient located?
NowPatient has offices in the United Kingdom and United States.
In the UK, we are located at:
NowPatient
28 Chipstead Valley Road
Coulsdon
Surrey
CR52RA
In the US, we are located at:
NowPatient
8911 North Capital of Texas Highway
Suite 4200 #1263
78759
Austin, TX
How can I contact NowPatient?
To contact NowPatient, please use the contact form available on the Contact Us page.
Alternatively, if you need to speak to us, you can reach us on the following numbers:
UK telephone number – 020 388 51 500
US telephone number – 1-866-967-1977
Who owns NowPatient?
NowPatient is owned and operated by Infohealth Ltd, a licensed online pharmacy with services spanning the UK, US and Rest of the World. Infohealth Ltd is registered in England and Wales under company number 04004930 and our registered office is at Lynwood House, 373 – 375 Station Road, Harrow, England, HA1 2AW.
Our website is www.nowpatient.com. Our App is called “NowPatient” and can be downloaded from the App Store (for Apple devices) or Google Play (for Android devices).
Can you tell me more about your NHS online pharmacy?
NowPatient’s Pharmaceutical services in the UK are provided by Infohealth Limited trading as ‘Infohealth Pharmacy’.
Our dispensing pharmacy is regulated and authorized for internet sales by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), registration number 1036487. You can view our license credentials on the General Pharmaceutical Council website. Our superintendent pharmacist who is responsible for the safe and effective oversight of medicines supplies is Mr Amish Patel (Registration Number 2042705).
Medicines are not ordinary items of commerce. All medicines or healthcare product sales are made under the supervision of a registered pharmacist who is licensed by the GPhC. At all times, we endeavour to provide a professional and transparent service whose primary goal is to ensure that the best interests of the patient are served.
How do I make a complaint?
From time to time, we accept that our service levels may not be up to your expectations. NowPatient welcomes concerns, compliments and complaints as valuable feedback that will help us learn from your experiences and make improvements. Feedback can be provided via our clear and transparent Complaints Procedures.
Can you tell me more about NowPatient’s prescribing services for treatments offered?
Our prescribing services are regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). We provide the following regulated activity:
• treatment of disease, disorder, or injury
• transport services, triage, and medical advice are provided remotely
• caring for adults over 65 years old
• caring for adults under 65 years old
NowPatient prescribing services are run by Infohealth Limited. The Clinical Safety Officer and nominated individual is Mr Navin Khosla.
Can you tell me more about NowPatient’s US services?
Our head of US services is Dr. Jamie Winn.
You can lower the cost of your prescription medications using our various savings programs which include drug coupons, savings card and manufacturer-sponsored patient assistance programs.
We do not provide any prescribing services or dispensing services in the United States.
Is NowPatient legit and can I trust information from NowPatient?
Yes. NowPatient provides trustworthy and accessible clinical, health education and prescription services. We are also trusted by the NHS to deliver clinical and NHS repeat prescription dispensing across the whole of England. In the United States, we work with over 65,000 pharmacies to deliver considerable costs savings for our users.
NowPatient is operated by experienced licensed medical professionals in the United Kingdom and United States. Our Medical Team can be found here.
Our service is trusted by thousands of patients worldwide. You can read their reviews on our Trustpilot:
What are NowPatient’s opening hours?
Our office hours are:
UK – Monday-Friday 9am-6pm GMT
US – Monday-Friday 8am-5pm EST
Please note that we are closed at weekends.
In the event of a medical life-threatening emergency please call:
UK – 999
US – 911
In the event of a medical emergency which is not life-threatening please call:
UK – 111