Online pharmacies can be safe and convenient, and nearly half (44%) of UK adults aged between 18–30 years old have bought medicine or medical product online. However, it is crucial to know you are buying real medicines from a legitimate pharmacy.

Fake or counterfeit medicines may be ineffective, contaminated and pose a serious risk to your health – even your life. Unregulated pharmacies can take your money and refuse to give you a refund.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that almost half the drugs sold online from illegal sources are counterfeit or substandard.

Legitimate pharmacies are regulated and in Great Britain are registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council. Legitimate medicines are regulated by the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to make sure that they are safe and effective.

Why are fake medicines dangerous?

Fake or counterfeit medicines may be cheap or convenient, but they can pose serious risks to your health:

• Fake drugs are often manufactured and stored in unhygienic and unregulated conditions.
• This means can be contaminated with dangerous substances including pesticides, lead, bacteria, mercury, arsenic, rat poison and even cement.
• You cannot be sure of their quality or dosage. If drugs have too little of an active ingredient, they may be ineffective. Too much, and the risk of side effects, toxicity and even fatal overdose is increased.
• You could buy medicines that haven't been tested properly or approved for use in the UK.
• You might risk taking a dose which isn't right for your age, weight or health condition.

Drugs purchased from online sellers might be designed to look real, and even have realistic packaging, but be fake and potentially harmful.

Your money is also at risk. Illegal online sellers may overcharge you, fail to deliver, or refuse to give you a refund.

Illegitimate online sellers may tempt you with lower prices or by promising quick deliveries, but it isn't worth risking your health.

Accessing weight loss medications safely

There are several medications available to help manage weight, to be used alongside diet and physical activity. There is increasing evidence GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide (available as Wegovy®) and tirzepatide (available as Mounjaro®/Zepbound®) can have a benefit for people with CKD, though more evidence is needed.

GLP-1s are widely available from online pharmacies, but these are prescription-only medicines and should only be prescribed by a registered healthcare professional, so it's important to buy from a legitimate pharmacy that can offer the support and advice needed when taking GLP-1s. People with CKD may need additional support and monitoring.

In June 2024, the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued a warning over fake versions of semaglutide which were identified in the UK. As with any other medicine, taking fake drugs or buying from an illegitimate pharmacy could put your health at serious risk.

The General Pharmaceutical Council has a list of frequently asked questions to help you stay safe when buying weight-loss medications online:

How can I check if a pharmacy is legitimate?

All legitimate pharmacies operating in Great Britain have to be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council.

If you're not sure about an online pharmacy for any reason, check the online register. It's free and easy, and could help you protect yourself from serious harm.

You can search registered online sellers in Northern Ireland on the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) website.

What should I do if I suspect I may have bought or taken a fake medicine?

If you suspect you have bought a fake medicine, don't take it.

If you think you have taken a fake medicine and are experiencing side effects, seek medical help right away.

You can help fight fake medicines by reporting them through MHRA's Yellow Card website.