Online pharmacies are a convenient way to access health advice and treatment without having to make a trip to your local community pharmacy. They also offer a discreet way to buy things, that perhaps you wouldn’t feel comfortable buying in-person. It’s no surprise that treatment for erectile dysfunction is one of the top sellers online.
A quick search for ‘online pharmacy UK‘ and you’ll find plenty of pharmacies all claiming to be genuine healthcare providers, but how can you be sure? In this blog, we look at how to compare online pharmacy services to get the best possible care.
Finding a genuine pharmacy
There are lots of companies selling medicine online but sadly, not all of them are reputable. Buying prescription drugs from unauthorised sites is dangerous – the medicines could be fake, and it’s unlikely that you’ll receive the right advice.
All pharmacies in the UK, whether they operate online or on the high street, should be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) – this is the governing body for pharmacies in the UK, similar to the General Medical Council for GPs.
You can check that the pharmacy you are buying from is genuine by looking for:
- The GPhC internet pharmacy logo on their website
- The GPhC registration numbers for their staff and the pharmacy itself
- Their registered address (online pharmacies must be linked to a physical location)
If you want to verify the information on a pharmacy’s website, then you can search for them on the GPhC’s online register.
Registered pharmacists follow a strict code of conduct, which includes putting patient safety first. This means that they must check to make sure it’s safe for a patient to take a medicine before they sell it to them.
If you find a company that is willing to sell you drugs without asking you about your medical history first, then it’s unlikely to be a registered pharmacy run by genuine healthcare professionals.
Comparing prices online
You can save money on your medicine by buying online from a registered pharmacy.
Rather than trudging round local pharmacies looking for the best deals, you can compare prices from lots of pharmacies online without leaving the house.
Most reputable online pharmacies will also suggest cheaper alternatives to the medicine you’ve chosen on their product pages. Often you can buy the same medicine for much less by opting for the unbranded version of your treatment.
When you’re comparing online pharmacies, don’t forget to factor in delivery costs as this can make a big difference to the overall price. At Post My Meds, we offer free shipping for all prescription medications and for all orders over £30.
It’s worth shopping around to find the best price, but keep in mind that if something looks too good to be true, it probably is. Always check to make sure you’re buying from a registered pharmacy first and look at what customer care they offer.
Customer care ratings
Pharmacies don’t just dispense NHS prescriptions; they are an important healthcare service, and often the first port-of-call for patients who need advice and treatment.
This should be no different online, so when you’re comparing pharmacies, we recommend looking at their online reviews. This should give you an impartial insight into what customers really think of their service.
Post My Meds is rated ‘excellent’ on Trustpilot, based on over 6,600 reviews since we launched in 2015. But we don’t just encourage good reviews, we want to hear from everyone so we can learn from their experiences – good or bad.
Before you buy prescription-only medicines online, make sure you understand how the process works, and if you’re unsure don’t be afraid to ask. Here are some questions that you might want to consider asking before choosing a pharmacy:
- Is the service you provide confidential?
- Do you provide genuine and authentic medication?
- What delivery options do you offer?
- Is the packaging discreet?
You can find the answers to these questions and many more in our FAQs section.
Choosing a pharmacy
When you visit a “bricks and mortar” pharmacy to collect your prescriptions, you don’t stop to consider whether it’s a registered pharmacy selling genuine products. But these are the things you should always check when you buy from an online pharmacy.
When you’re comparing online pharmacies, we recommend that you:
- Always verify the pharmacy is registered with the GPhC
- Shop around to get the best deal on your medicine
- Check the pharmacy’s customer service reviews online
Remember if you aren’t sure, don’t be afraid to ask questions before you buy.
