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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| GPs warn on internet drug sales | GPs warn on internet drug sales |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Doctors have warned of the perils of buying medicines over the internet. | Doctors have warned of the perils of buying medicines over the internet. |
| One in four GPs polled said they had treated patients for adverse reactions to medicines bought online. | One in four GPs polled said they had treated patients for adverse reactions to medicines bought online. |
| A further 8% suspected they had treated side-effects of internet-bought drugs, the snapshot survey of 420 doctors carried out by GP magazine found. | A further 8% suspected they had treated side-effects of internet-bought drugs, the snapshot survey of 420 doctors carried out by GP magazine found. |
| Pharmacist leaders urged the public to be aware of the risks of internet medicines and use bone fide sites which require a prescription. | Pharmacist leaders urged the public to be aware of the risks of internet medicines and use bone fide sites which require a prescription. |
| Overall, 85% of the GP respondents want online pharmacies to be more tightly regulated. | Overall, 85% of the GP respondents want online pharmacies to be more tightly regulated. |
| The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain has estimated that two million Britons regularly buy drugs over the internet, a figure which is thought to be on the rise. | The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain has estimated that two million Britons regularly buy drugs over the internet, a figure which is thought to be on the rise. |
| Anyone who self medicates and buys their medicines from internet sites could be in danger of receiving counterfeit or substandard medicines MHRA spokesman | Anyone who self medicates and buys their medicines from internet sites could be in danger of receiving counterfeit or substandard medicines MHRA spokesman |
| This includes those who purchase medicines prescribed by their doctor from a legitimate online pharmacy. | This includes those who purchase medicines prescribed by their doctor from a legitimate online pharmacy. |
| But it is common for illegal internet pharmacies to promote "lifestyle" medicines, such as those for erectile dysfunction, slimming pills, hair-loss treatments, and anti-depressants. | |
| Medicines regulators said these drugs are in high demand due to the perceived "embarrassment" factor and the fact that a GP may not prescribe them to the particular patient for one reason or another. | Medicines regulators said these drugs are in high demand due to the perceived "embarrassment" factor and the fact that a GP may not prescribe them to the particular patient for one reason or another. |
| The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency said increasingly people are purchasing drugs that may not be available via the NHS due to cost-restrictions. | The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency said increasingly people are purchasing drugs that may not be available via the NHS due to cost-restrictions. |
| Counterfeit | Counterfeit |
| Dr Sarah Jarvis, a GP in west London and spokeswoman for the Royal College of GPs, said: "Surveys looking at many online medications suggest that the proportion of counterfeits is enormously high and that many of them contain very worrying ingredients." | Dr Sarah Jarvis, a GP in west London and spokeswoman for the Royal College of GPs, said: "Surveys looking at many online medications suggest that the proportion of counterfeits is enormously high and that many of them contain very worrying ingredients." |
| Dr Bill Beeby, prescribing lead for the British Medical Association's GPs committee, said he would not advise any of his patients to buy medicines online. | Dr Bill Beeby, prescribing lead for the British Medical Association's GPs committee, said he would not advise any of his patients to buy medicines online. |
| "When it comes to buying drugs on the internet, it is a minefield. People just don't know what they'd be getting." | "When it comes to buying drugs on the internet, it is a minefield. People just don't know what they'd be getting." |
| The Royal Pharmaceutical Society runs a logo scheme for people to identify legitimate online pharmacies and they are also launching an awareness campaign through pharmacies to warn people of the dangers of counterfeit traders. | The Royal Pharmaceutical Society runs a logo scheme for people to identify legitimate online pharmacies and they are also launching an awareness campaign through pharmacies to warn people of the dangers of counterfeit traders. |
| BONA FIDE PHARMACY SITES Should carry the Internet Pharmacy LogoShould provide address and pharmacist registration detailsShould not offer prescription-only medicines without prescriptionShould ask questions | BONA FIDE PHARMACY SITES Should carry the Internet Pharmacy LogoShould provide address and pharmacist registration detailsShould not offer prescription-only medicines without prescriptionShould ask questions |
| David Pruce, director of policy at the society advised only purchasing drugs from an internet site connected to a "bricks and mortar" pharmacy. | David Pruce, director of policy at the society advised only purchasing drugs from an internet site connected to a "bricks and mortar" pharmacy. |
| He added: "It is never a good idea to take a prescription medicine without a valid prescription. | He added: "It is never a good idea to take a prescription medicine without a valid prescription. |
| "The medicine may not be suitable for you and could result in unpleasant side-effects or serious health risks." | "The medicine may not be suitable for you and could result in unpleasant side-effects or serious health risks." |
| The MHRA, which supports the logo scheme, can only regulate sites operating in the UK but said tackling the illegal sale of medicines online was a "priority". | The MHRA, which supports the logo scheme, can only regulate sites operating in the UK but said tackling the illegal sale of medicines online was a "priority". |
| "Only healthcare professionals can take into account risks and benefits associated with every medicine," a spokesman said. | "Only healthcare professionals can take into account risks and benefits associated with every medicine," a spokesman said. |
| "Anyone who self medicates and buys their medicines from internet sites could be in danger of receiving counterfeit or substandard medicines. | "Anyone who self medicates and buys their medicines from internet sites could be in danger of receiving counterfeit or substandard medicines. |
| "At best these will be a waste of money, at worst they can kill." | "At best these will be a waste of money, at worst they can kill." |
| Do you use online pharmacies or medics? Have you ever opted to buy medicines over the internet? What have been your experiences? Send us your comments using the form below. | Do you use online pharmacies or medics? Have you ever opted to buy medicines over the internet? What have been your experiences? Send us your comments using the form below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |