Warning issued over 'increasingly sophisticated' trade in illegal online medicines which may be fake, contaminated or the wrong strength

A warning has been issued about an “increasingly sophisticated” trade in illegal online medicines that may be counterfeit, contaminated, or the wrong strength. NHS Shetland said the online market is expanding and becoming more complex, and it highlighted enforcement actions by the UK medicines regulator. It noted that last year regulators seized nearly 20 million doses of illegally traded medicines and disrupted more than 1,500 websites and social media accounts. The health board warned that illegal products may contain too much, too little, or none of the stated medicine, and may include different or harmful ingredients, be contaminated or non-sterile, or be supplied without appropriate clinical checks. People buying online are urged to verify that a pharmacy is on the General Pharmaceutical Council register and to use registered pharmacies for prescription medicines.