BBC news article, by Dr Faye Kirkland, 3 March 2017: Buying medications online ‘can put health at risk’
People should be wary of buying medications on the internet after an investigation found “widespread failings” at some online providers, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has said.
The watchdog inspected 11 internet prescription services in England, finding some “potentially presenting a significant risk to patients”.
The regulator said while some providers were well-run, others “cut corners”.
The CQC says it will visit providers and shut any putting patients at risk.
It follows a BBC Radio 5 Live investigation into online pharmacies selling antibiotics.
The CQC has published reports on urgent inspections of two websites: Treated.com, run by HR Healthcare, and MD Direct, which traded through Assetchemist.co.uk.
Prof Steve Field, the CQC’s chief inspector of general practice, said there was “little clinical oversight” in the way many websites sold medications. Read more
More stories:
Daily Mail: Millions at risk as web chemists with little or no medical training dish out dangerous drugs without checks
i news: Online health services could pose ‘significant’ risk to public
Guardian: CQC warns online doctor services may pose risk to public
