Buying Antibiotics Online in the UK: What You Need to Know

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The online pharmaceutical industry is under scrutiny after a 2017 study showed that nearly half of 20 online pharmacies observed don’t ask for a prescription when selling antibiotics. This practice can seriously impact the effort of the medical community to prevent microbial resistance due to the improper use of antibiotics.

What is the legal requirement to sell medication online in the UK?

The law requires every online medicine dispensary to register with MHRA and GPhC. These agencies regulate the selling and distribution of drugs to consumers. Of course, anytime you want to buy antibiotics online, if the store isn’t registered with any of these agencies, it should be a red flag that warns buyers about unethical pharmaceutical practices.

Fortunately, it doesn’t appear to be dire for all consumers. There are plenty of online pharmacies that ensure to require buyers to present their prescription before selling any prescription medication. There are also several ways by which an online pharmacy can verify the suitability of selling antibiotic and other prescription meds to a consumer.

·         Some online pharmacies let customers choose the dosage, type, and treatment duration when buying antibiotics. This process is dangerous as it puts the consumers at risk. Without a doctor’s script, they could end up taking too much or too little of the right medicine.

·         There are online pharmacies that use a process where the consumer can click on symptoms, and the website will direct them to the type of antibiotic to buy before checking out. Once again, this process is dangerous and very subjective.

·         The right process involves allowing the consumer to fill out a questionnaire which will be evaluated by a doctor who will assess the consumer’s suitability to buy antibiotics.

In addition to a questionnaire, online pharmacies also need to educate the consumer about the proper and safe use of antibiotics. There needs to be detailed information on potential side effects, especially when taken along with other prescription medication.

What results from improper use of antibiotics?

Improper use of antibiotics results in microbial resistance. Microbes often mutate and develop resistance to a medication when the patient doesn’t take the right dosage or complete the recommended treatment period. We’ve all heard about superbugs which no longer respond to common antibiotics available today. Unfortunately, getting infected by antibiotic-resistant microbes is fatal as there’s no medication available to treat the patient. Also, it will take time for researchers to discover new antibiotics that can cure these new infections.

The problem with common infections is the misconception that when you’re no longer experiencing symptoms, you can stop taking medication. Also, many people today tend to self-medicate based on the limited information they find online.

The bottom line

Online pharmacies are available to provide consumers with a more convenient way to buy medication. But, consumers should exercise caution and be more conscious about protecting their health. Although it’s easy to research symptoms online, these aren’t as accurate as visiting a doctor and getting a thorough examination. If you want to buy antibiotics online, make sure to obtain a prescription first and buy from a pharmacy registered with health regulatory agencies.

Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle, Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources (http://www.pharmamicroresources.com/)