Buying and selling medicines online
Buying online is easy and convenient. But if you consider buying medicines online, you need to be cautious. Many online shops that sell medicines are entirely legitimate, but unfortunately, some online shops sell medicines illegally.
There is no control on the manufacturing processes or sale of illegal medicines. This means there is no way of knowing what is in the medicine and how it works. If you buy illegal medicines, at best you risk spending money on something that might have no effect, at worst the medicine has serious side effects or puts your life at risk.
These simple steps and advice will help you to shop safely online:
Look for the green EU logo or the blue EU logo
Above all, you should check that the online shop that you intend to buy medicine from has been authorised by an EU authority and thus has permission to sell medicines for humans or animals. You can recognise authorised online shops by the green EU logo or the blue EU logo.
If buying human medicines, look for the green EU logo
The green EU logo certifies that the online shop has been authorised by an EU authority to sell human medicines. The green EU logo must be displayed by all online shops authorised to sell human medicines. If there is no logo, you can be almost certain that the online shop is selling medicines illegally or is located outside the EU, and that is problematic since it is illegal for medicines to be sent to you Denmark from non-EU/EEA countries.
- When visiting an online shop that sells human medicines, look for the green EU logo.
- When you click on the green logo, check if it takes you to a page that shows you one of the Danish Medicines Agency’s (or other EU authority's) lists of pharmacies or authorised online shops (retailers) permitted to distribute human medicines.
- Check that the online shop and website address are on the list.
- If the pharmacy/online shop is recorded on the list, then the distributor has been authorised by an authority.
- Don’t buy human medicines from websites without the green EU logo.
If buying veterinary medicines, look for the blue EU logo
The blue EU logo certifies that the online shop has been authorised by an EU authority to sell veterinary medicines. The blue EU logo must be displayed by all online shops authorised to sell veterinary medicines. If there is no logo, you can be almost certain that the online shop is selling medicines illegally or is located outside the EU, and that is problematic since it is illegal for medicines to be sent to Denmark from non-EU/EEA countries.
- When visiting an online shop that sells veterinary medicines, look for the blue EU logo.
- When you click on the blue logo, check if it takes you to a page that shows you one of the Danish Medicines Agency’s (or other EU authority's) lists of pharmacies or authorised online shops (retailers) permitted to distribute veterinary medicines.
- Check that the online shop and website address are on the list.
- If the pharmacy/online shop is on the list, then the distributor has been authorised by an authority.
- Don’t buy veterinary medicines from websites without the blue EU logo.
Additional tips for buying medicines online
It is advisable to look out for many other things when you buy medicines and other products online.
Three things to check to assess if you can trust an online shop
- Who’s behind the shop? Does the online shop tell you who’s responsible for it and the medicine it sells? This information is mandatory.
- Are adverts and information about the medicine separated? Does the online shop include adverts for the medicine, and is the information about the medicine and the adverts separated? Information about medicines must be separated from any adverts.
- Has the website been updated recently? If not, be sceptical of the contents.
Three things that should raise your suspicion
- When promises of health and recovery are too good to be true. Online shops with grand promises of a quick recovery and miracle results rarely follow facts.
- When the medicine is claimed to cure an extensive list of various diseases. One type of medicine rarely has the potential of curing several different diseases.
- When the medicine can only be purchased from a particular online shop or only for a limited period of time.
Insist on receiving information about the medicine
As a customer, you are entitled to be provided with proper information on any medicine you consider buying. If you don’t receive adequate information about the medicine, you should find a more serious retailer.
Adequate and factual information will include details about:
- the name of the medicine
- active substances
- how to take the medicine
- when the medicine must not be used (e.g. during pregnancy or concurrently with other medicines)
- dosage
- side effects
- the manufacturer's name and address
Are you given instructions for use?
When you buy medicines in Denmark, the package and package leaflet are in Danish. The package leaflet includes important information about the medicine, e.g. effect and side effects, warnings, storage instructions, specific precautions that you should pay attention.
When you buy medicines outside Denmark, you should ensure that you receive a package leaflet in a familiar language.
Will you receive compensation?
When you buy medicines from a Danish pharmacy or other authorised retailer in Denmark, you are automatically covered by a drug injury compensation scheme. If you buy a medicine outside Denmark, you cannot be sure to receive compensation. Even the ‘money back guaranty’ can easily be broken by the online retailer.
Are you allowed to import the medicine?
You must be aware that there are rules restricting the possibility for private individuals to receive medicines dispatched from foreign countries, i.e. including medicines purchased online.
It is illegal to receive medicines purchased or dispatched from a non-EU/EEA country. Moreover, it is only permitted to import medicines that are purchased legally and for personal use.
It is also illegal to receive medicines containing euphoriant substances or doping agents.
Do you have doubts about a specific medicine? Read here about importing medicines.
Don’t forget that the internet can never be a substitute for private consultations with your doctor.