GPhC proposes new guidance for online pharmacies to improve patient safety

These proposed changes aim to address inappropriate supply of high-risk medicines by online pharmacies

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) is inviting feedback on proposed changes to its guidance for online pharmacies, aimed at enhancing patient safety.

These changes are designed to tackle concerns associated with receiving medicines from online pharmacies, particularly those that may not be clinically appropriate and could potentially harm patients.

GPhC has identified concerns relating to inappropriate supplies of weight loss medications  that could pose risk to patients' health.

Duncan Rudkin, Chief Executive of the GPhC, underscored the importance of addressing risks in online pharmacy services.

“We know that there can be significant benefits for people using online pharmacy services to get medicines and treatment, but there are also additional risks that need to be managed, to make sure medicines and other pharmacy services are provided safely to patients and the public.

“Through our inspections and investigations, we’ve seen significant risks to patient safety when online questionnaires have inappropriately been the only mode of consultation used, and when the information provided by the patient isn’t verified by the prescriber.”

The regulator is seeking views from stakeholders on the following key proposed changes:

• Online pharmacies will be required to implement additional safety measures when prescribing or supplying medicines known to be associated with greater risks, such as those used for weight loss.
• There should be a two-way communication channel between the patient and the prescriber for all online prescribing as some medicines are not suitable to be prescribed using an online questionnaire alone.
• Prescribers will be given further instructions on how to verify patient information, especially for high-risk medicines. This may include conducting a direct consultation through a phone call or video chat, or by contacting the person’s GP.
• Additional guidance will be provided for prescribers to follow in circumstances where patients lack a regular prescriber or have not consented to share their information with their GP.
• Superintendent Pharmacists will be made jointly responsible with pharmacy owners for adhering to the new guidance.

Concerns about inappropriate supplies of medicines by online pharmacies were identified through GPhC inspections and enforcement action against online pharmacies, fitness to practise concerns raised with the regulator, and through working closely with other regulators.