Are online pharmacies legit?
How to check a pharmacy’s license online
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Fact Checked
This article has been fact checked by a licensed expert before publication to ensure all information provided is correct and safe.
Are Online Pharmacies Safe?
Accessibility and convenience are really important when it comes to most people’s day to day lives - and healthcare is no different.
Online pharmacies have been around for a good few years now. They’re part of a highly regulated industry but, understandably, some people do still wonder how safe they are. So, how exactly do online pharmacies work? And are they safe and legit? We're here to tackle these questions and walk you through the process.
Medically reviewed by
Daniel Atkinson, GP Clinical Lead
What are the benefits of using an online healthcare provider?
Ease, convenience, accessibility. You can consult on your own time with a licensed clinician, saving the hassle of a trip to the GP and the pharmacy. That means you can save time, money, and energy on things like petrol, parking, and taking time off work.
It’s also really useful if you have:
- mobility issues, or live somewhere rural where your access to healthcare is more limited;
- an infectious condition that might spread to other patients at the doctor’s office; or:
- a condition that requires a specialist who might not be available in your area.
Online health isn’t always the best option, though. For more serious health concerns, face to face appointments are still the most suitable option. Especially if you need certain tests or physical examinations.
How do online pharmacies work?
Much like a traditional brick-and-mortar local pharmacy, an online pharmacy in the UK can offer healthcare services and deliver medication directly to patients. It goes without saying that being online means they’re open for anyone to use, but it’s not quite as easy as popping items into your basket and checking out. Certain restrictions may apply, to help keep customers safe.
Legit online pharmacies have a whole team working behind the scenes. Doctors, pharmacists and other professionals all make sure the medications they offer are safe and suitable for you. The prescribing team usually consists of UK-registered doctors and pharmacists who can be reached through your online account, email, phone call or live chat. This offers a level of flexibility that suits a lot of people’s lifestyles.
What’s more convenient: online healthcare or traditional doctors?
Online healthcare is almost always more convenient. That’s because you can do it from anywhere, at any time. Whereas brick-and-mortar health visits are often constrained by opening times, location (taking time to travel to the building), and needing to be available at a certain time. Because online consultations can be done asynchronously (meaning not at the same time), you can answer a few questions whenever it’s most convenient for you, and your clinician can review them whenever they’re ready.
The online pharmacy process
In most cases, you’ll start by filling in an online questionnaire, much like when a doctor or pharmacist asks questions to assess your health in a face-to-face appointment. Each questionnaire is designed to provide prescribing clinicians with all the necessary info so that they can recommend the right medication for you.
Then, you’ll likely be given treatment options to choose from (like a brand name or a generic medication). And once you’re happy with your choice, you can place your order online.
All orders are approved by a registered doctor or pharmacist. A prescription will then be issued and forwarded to a dedicated dispensing team. This is similar to when you visit your GP and they send your electronic prescription to your chosen pharmacy. When your prescription reaches the pharmacy, they’ll dispense the treatment according to your prescription. After that, the medication is packed and sent for delivery straight to your door.
What are the typical wait times for online healthcare consultations compared to in-person visits?
Online consultations generally have significantly shorter wait times compared to in-person healthcare visits. Online platforms often have immediate or same-day appointment availability, particularly for consultations that aren’t urgent. On the other hand, wait times for in-person appointments, especially those with specialists or elective procedures, can be several weeks or even months.
Are online pharmacies legit?
On the whole most online pharmacies are legitimate (we’ll explain below how you can check this), and you should feel just as safe using them as you would a local pharmacy. So long as the information you provide during your consultation is accurate. This ensures that doctors and pharmacists can prescribe the correct medication and dosage.
Regulated online pharmacies can provide remote access to healthcare that works around people’s busy schedules. But there are some checks you can make before you opt for the online pharmacy route:
- Is there a General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) voluntary internet pharmacy logo on the pharmacy’s website? It should look like the one on the right.
- Is there an address and a phone number? Can you reach out to a pharmacist? This is because online pharmacies are connected to a registered brick-and-mortar pharmacy (with a physical address), where the medications are stored and delivered from.
- Are all the prescribing doctors and pharmacists registered in the UK with the General Medical Council (GMC), Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC),or the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), respectively? If so, they should provide a registration number.
How to check a pharmacy’s license online
One way to verify the legitimacy of an online pharmacy is by checking its license. This is crucial because all pharmacies in the UK, whether traditional or online, must be registered with the GPhC and satisfy their pharmacy standards.
The GPhC has a distinctive logo (like the one above) to indicate that an online pharmacy is legitimate. They run a scheme to ensure that you're buying medicines from a registered pharmacy meeting their criteria. Simply look for this logo on the pharmacy's website for confirmation.
After finding the logo on the website, click on it. This should take you to the GPhC website, where you can verify their registration number. You should see something like this. You can also use the GPhC's register to check if a website is run by a UK registered pharmacy and is licensed to sell medicines. If the online pharmacy doesn't appear on the GPhC website, there's a high chance that the pharmacy doesn’t have a license, and you may wish to reconsider using their services.
How to choose an online pharmacy
Finding the best online pharmacy that suits your needs is a personal decision often founded on confidence in the company and the clinical team. As mentioned earlier, a good place to start is by checking for the relevant licenses and registration.
Next up, explore reviews and customer experiences. Independent review platforms can give you an insight into how other customers have found the online pharmacy’s service. Also, pay attention to the thoroughness of their services. Are clinicians asking all the relevant questions to determine the best treatment for you? Do the delivery times match what they promise on the website?
And make sure to factor in your specific needs when choosing an online pharmacy. For instance, some online pharmacies streamline repeat prescriptions, saving you from reordering every time you need a refill. Some provide 24-hour delivery, particularly useful for when you run out of treatment. You may also want to consider if they offer follow-up care, allowing you to ask any questions that crop up during your treatment.
So, ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which UK online pharmacy best suits your needs. But keeping in mind the steps above will certainly help you make an informed decision.
Reference Popover #ref1
Treated trusted source
General Pharmaceutical Council (n.d.).
Meeting the new guidance for online pharmacies – your questions answered.
Reference Popover #ref2
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General Pharmaceutical Council (2025).
Guidance for registered pharmacies providing pharmacy services at a distance, including on the internet.
Reference Popover #ref3
Treated trusted source
General Pharmaceutical Council (n.d.).
Looking for a Pharmacy.
Reference Popover #ref4
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Capodici, A., Noci, F., Nuti, S., Emdin, M., Dalmiani, S., Passino, C., Hernandez-Boussard, T. and Giannoni, A. (2025).
Reducing outpatient wait times through telemedicine: a systematic review and quantitative analysis. BMJ Open, 15(1), p.e088153.
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