Online Pharmacies Under Scrutiny for Lax Safety Checks, Endangering Patients

January 10, 2024 - In a groundbreaking investigation, the BBC uncovered a concerning trend in the online pharmaceutical industry, where prescription-only medicines are sold without adequate checks. The report exposes a regulatory loophole that risks patients' lives and highlights the urgent need for stricter rules and oversight.

The BBC investigation revealed that 20 online pharmacies were selling restricted drugs without conducting essential checks, such as obtaining approval from a general practitioner (GP) or other medical professionals licensed to prescribe medication.

Shockingly, the BBC was able to purchase over 1,600 various prescription-only pills by simply entering false information without facing any challenge. This alarming revelation underscores what has been described as the "Wild West" of purchasing online medicines.

Thorrun Govind, a pharmacist, health lawyer, and former chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, expresses concern over the current situation. She emphasizes that while the existing guidance advises pharmacies to be robust, the lack of clear instructions has resulted in patients losing their lives.

“We know that under this current system, patients have died," Govind revealed.

The investigation features the tragic case of Katie Corrigan, a woman who died in 2020 after accidentally overdosing on medicines purchased online. Katie's story sheds light on the dangerous consequences of inadequate checks. Despite her GP's decision to stop supplying the drug due to premature prescription requests and excessive dosage, Katie was able to obtain a painkiller and an anxiety medication from multiple online pharmacies without notifying her GP.

The coroner's report confirmed that none of the pharmacies had contacted Katie's GP to verify the safety of the drugs, highlighting the glaring inadequacy of the safety controls in place.

The BBC's undercover experiment further exposes the extent of the issue. Of the 20 online pharmacies identified, nine sold an anti-anxiety drug without requiring further checks beyond an online questionnaire. Shockingly, the investigation team was able to purchase a potentially fatal dose of the anti-anxiety medicine. Additionally, painkillers were obtained from nine pharmacies, and a sleeping medication was acquired from 14 pharmacies, all based on online questionnaires rather than proper medical assessments.

However, the investigation did reveal some positive developments. For instance, 13 online pharmacies refused to sell the drugs without access to medical records, proof of prior prescriptions, or permission to contact the patient's GP, demonstrating that a responsible approach is possible.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society expresses deep concern over these findings and calls for action against poor professional practices.

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), the regulator responsible for overseeing online pharmacies, issued renewed guidance in 2022 to address the issue. The GPhC expects pharmacy owners to conduct risk assessments and identify which medicines can be safely sold online.

The spokesperson for the GPhC emphasized, "medicines liable to abuse, overuse or misuse should not be sold online unless further safeguards have been put in place."

However, experts argue that the guidance needs to be more specific and provide clear instructions on the checks that online pharmacies should undertake. Govind criticizes the lack of clarity: "This has led to such a variation, with some online pharmacies asking for checks like video consultations, while others seem to let you simply click on the drug you want and go forward to pay."

The investigation's findings are a wake-up call for the healthcare technology and pharmaceutical industry. Addressing the regulatory loopholes and enforcing stricter rules to ensure patient safety in the online sale of prescription drugs is imperative. Licensing authorities, regulatory bodies, and industry stakeholders must collectively work toward implementing robust checks and verifications to prevent tragedies like Katie Corrigan's and protect patients from the dangers of unregulated online pharmacies.

Ultimately, this investigation has exposed a significant gap in the regulation of online pharmacies, where prescription drugs are sold without adequate checks. The lax oversight and vague guidance have jeopardized patient safety and led to tragic outcomes. Urgent action is needed to tighten regulations and ensure that online pharmacies adhere to stringent checks and verification processes.