Article: published on 8 July 2026
Former Detective Rav Wilding and Dr Punam
Fake online pharmacies
- Published
Buying medicines online can be convenient, but patients are being warned to check who they are purchasing from before taking treatment.
Rav Wilding and Dr Punam Krishan joined BBC Morning Live in the studio to explain how online pharmacies work, how to spot sites which might be unsafe, and why it is important to use regulated healthcare services.
Are online pharmacies legal?
Online pharmacies can be legal and safe.
Many online health services allow people to access care at a time which suits them.
However, some websites are unregistered providers. They might offer prescription medicines they have no authority to supply, or send out fake medicine using false prescriptions.
Some sites may also sell products which look like medicines you would buy from a high street pharmacy, but which turn out to be fake when they arrive.
Why prescription medicines need checks
Trust is central to the relationship between patients and healthcare professionals.
Before prescribing medicine, GPs carefully review a patient's medical history, current medication and any underlying conditions.
This helps avoid dangerous drug interactions.
Medication can affect people differently depending on age, weight and what other medicine they are taking.
A dose which works for one person could be unsuitable for someone else.
Elderly patients can be especially vulnerable because they may be taking several prescriptions.
People should not feel embarrassed about speaking to a doctor, even if they are worried about a health condition.
What are the dangers?
Most online pharmacies are legitimate and legal, but it is important to check the website before ordering.
Unsafe websites can look legitimate, but may offer no professional advice, unsafe dosage guidance and no accountability.
The Pharmacists' Defence Association told Morning Live medicines bought online have contributed to the deaths of patients in the UK.
Minors may also be able to access illegal sites with few checks or barriers.
The MHRA says it seized almost £45m worth of illegal medicines in 2025, including almost 20 million doses.
These included sedatives, erectile dysfunction medicines, painkillers, nervous system agents and GLP-1 pens.
Why wrong dosage can be dangerous
Taking too much of a medicine can lead to an overdose, which in some cases can be life-threatening.
Too much paracetamol, for example, can cause irreversible liver damage.
Taking too little medicine can also make treatment ineffective.
With antibiotics, under-dosing can also contribute to drug resistance.
How to check an online pharmacy
Before using an online pharmacy, the General Pharmaceutical Council says you should ask questions about how the service works.
You should be honest about your full medical history and understand how to take the medicine, as well as what aftercare is in place.
You should also check registration.
In England, Scotland and Wales, pharmacies, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians must be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
Doctors are regulated by the General Medical Council.
The GPhC told Morning Live this information is usually on a pharmacy website's homepage or in the "About us" section, and should include a registration number.
You can search the GPhC register using the pharmacy's name or registration number.
In Northern Ireland, you can check the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland register.
What should you do if something looks wrong?
Illegal pharmacy websites can be difficult to shut down because new sites can appear after others are removed.
They could be selling medicines which are fake, out of date, diluted, or something different to what you think you have ordered.
If you think a website or online seller is offering medicines illegally, you can report it to the MHRA.
If you suspect a side effect or problem with a medicine, vaccine or medical device, you can report it through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.
What to do if you are unsure
Do not take medicine from a website you are unsure about.
Speak to your GP, pharmacist or NHS 111 for advice.
You can also check whether a suspicious website appears on the MHRA's "Not Recommended" list.
If you think a website or online seller is offering medicines illegally, report it to the MHRA. Reports can be made anonymously.
If you suspect a side effect or problem with a medicine, vaccine or medical device, you can report it through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.
