Is a discount online pharmacy selling branded prescription medication safe to order from?
Only if the pharmacy is licensed by your national medicines regulator. Many discount online pharmacies sell counterfeit, substandard, or incorrectly dosed medication.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Online pharmacy fraud is a significant public health concern. Counterfeit medication can contain incorrect active ingredients, wrong doses, or harmful contaminants. Scam pharmacies often sell prescription-only medication without requesting a prescription, which is illegal and dangerous. They typically have very low prices, generic-looking websites, and no verifiable pharmacy registration number. In the UK, registered online pharmacies must display the NHS distance-selling logo and can be verified on the GPhC register. In the US, the NABP runs a verified internet pharmacy program (VIPPS). Before ordering any medication online, verify the pharmacy on your national regulator's register. If an online pharmacy sells you prescription medication without asking for a valid prescription, it is operating illegally.
Common red flags
- Prescription medication available without a valid prescription
- No pharmacy registration number or regulatory logo on the site
- Price significantly below normal pharmacy prices
- Site found through a spam email or social media ad
- No physical address or contact phone number
What to do now
- Verify any online pharmacy on your national medicines regulator's register
- Never purchase prescription medication without a valid prescription
- Use your GP or a registered telehealth service for legal online prescriptions
- Report illegal online pharmacies to your national medicines regulator
Frequently asked questions
How do I identify a registered online pharmacy in the UK?
Look for the NHS distance-selling logo linked to the GPhC register. Clicking the logo should take you to the pharmacy's entry on the official register.