The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has issued a statement responding to issues raised to the pharmacy regulator about the online supply of medicines ahead of publication of updated guidance.

In the statement, Chief Strategy Officer at the General Pharmaceutical Council, Louise Edwards, said:

“We require all pharmacies, including those operating online, to ensure that the way in which pharmacy services are delivered safeguards the health, safety and wellbeing of patients and the public.

“We have published guidance specifically for the safe and effective provision of pharmacy services at a distance which we expect online pharmacies in Great Britain to follow. It includes the requirement that the prescriber is expected to work within national prescribing guidelines for the UK and good practice guidance.

“We are issuing an updated version of our guidance shortly, which will set out additional safeguards around high-risk medicines, including medicines used for weight management.

“People should not use unregulated, illegally operating sites to obtain medicines used for weight management. The medicines could be fake or not appropriate for them, and could cause them serious harm.”

UK Fitness to Practise News

Responding to issues and concerns

“We have responded to issues and concerns raised in the media relating to the online prescribing and supply of medicines, including medicines used for weight-management.

“Our statement highlights that we are issuing an updated version of our guidance for supplying medicines at a distance, including on the internet, shortly, which will set out additional safeguards around high-risk medicines, including medicines used for weight management.”

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