Online Prescriptions

Registered UK medical agencies can employ doctors to issue prescriptions remotely (online and by telephone). UK pharmacies can dispense these prescriptions & post medicine to patient

Obtaining an online prescription for certain medications is acceptable within the UK and has been since 1999, but only for certified General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) regulated pharmacies. In fact, the UK has long been a pioneer in the field of online pharmaceutical sales. Back in 2005 the government amended the law to allow Internet-based pharmacies to sell some prescription drugs online.

The RPSGB issued a symbol designed to help patients easily identify online pharmacies that are accredited and regulated. This is in the form of a green cross. This scheme is now administered by the GPhC.

Government Regulations for online clinics in UK

Across the UK, doctors are legally allowed to conduct online medical consultations. Based on their findings, they are also allowed to write prescriptions for various medications.

There are a few Government agencies regulating online medicine practice in the UK. A brief description of those organizations are given below:

Care Quality Commission: They are the regulators of all private medical practices in the UK. An online clinic that is legit and safe will be registered with CQC and will also have a link that will lead to the Care Quality Commission page that lists the registration and licensing details of the online clinic.

General Medical Council: The GMC register doctors in UK. Doctors should also be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC). If you're unsure about your doctor's registrations, visit www.gmc-uk.org . All registered UK doctors will be listed here.

General Pharmaceutical Council: This is the regulatory agency that moderates and looks over the chemists. Legitimate online clinics will have to be registered with them.

How To ensure the online pharmacy is legit?

Always check to see whether the pharmacy is licensed and displaying a clear street address and phone number that are within the UK. The pharmacy you're dealing with should also be registered with the CQC (Care Quality Commission) and with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB). The RPSGB logo should be prominently displayed on the website.

When you're certain you're dealing with a reputable pharmacy to supply your medication, you can go ahead and get your online prescription dispensed. The site you use should offer all patients complete confidentiality, as well as a secure payment section to maximise online payment safety

Advantages of online access to healthcare

• In the vast majority of cases, patients opt for online doctor's consultations and online prescriptions in an effort to save time and money. Visiting a doctor's clinic in person can be inconvenient for some patients with time constraints or health inconveniences of travelling to a GP.
• Physical pharmacies may sometimes also be more expensive than online counterparts. This can make buying medication online seem more appealing, especially to those on a tight budget.
• There is also the relative anonymity and higher level of discretion involved with online prescriptions that many men prefer when seeking medical assistance for problems such as impotence. Men generally feel embarrassed or ashamed by visiting a doctor's clinic to discuss erectile dysfunction, but the availability of online prescriptions for medication to treat these issues makes it much easier for them to access the assistance they require.