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What online pharmacies tell your GP: Privacy FAQ
Medically reviewed by
Alexandra Cristina Cowell, Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer
What info is shared by an online pharmacy with an NHS GP?
It can change from provider to provider. If you have any questions, it’s best to check the privacy policy of the pharmacy service you’re using, or get in touch with them.
At Treated, we’ll share your name, date of birth, the medication we’ve prescribed (and the date it was prescribed), and any allergies you’ve declared. For more information, take a look at our privacy policy.
Can online pharmacies access my NHS record?
Yes, but they’ll need your consent before they can do so.
In England, with your permission, clinicians are able to access your NHS records remotely via your summary care record (SCR). But in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, this service isn’t available yet.
If you’re looking for more information on online pharmacies and your NHS records, head to our health records page.
Does communication with a private pharmacy and my GP go on my permanent record?
Yes. Information about treatment you’ve received from Treated will usually be added to your SCR by your NHS GP. This means any future clinicians you speak to are kept up-to-date on the treatments you’ve received, when you received them, and any allergies or adverse reactions you’ve had to medication.
Where can I see if my GP has been informed of my private prescriptions?
If you want to check whether your GP has been informed of your private prescriptions, you can ask them for a record summary. It should contain records of current medication, allergies, and any other reactions you’ve had to medicines previously.
If you live in England, you may be able to access your SCR through the NHS app. You just need to:
- Open the NHS app and log in
- Scroll down to “Upcoming and past appointments”
- Select “GP surgery appointments”, and then “Book an appointment”
- Press “Ask your GP surgery a question” or “Ask your GP about a health problem” (if this option isn’t available, you’ll need to email your GP or visit them in person to access your SCR)
- Tap “Ask a question or send a request”, then “Continue”, and then “I confirm, none of these are present”
- On the next page, select the option that best applies to you (or “Something else”)
- You’ll then be asked for some additional information – type “I would like a copy of my medical records” in here, and press “Continue”
- On the following page, confirm that this request is for yourself, and provide any additional details and contact information
- Then review and submit your request
This feature isn’t available yet in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – so you’ll need to request a copy of your information by contacting your GP directly.
Private pharmacy services also can’t guarantee that an NHS GP updates your SCR or Health Record after they contact them – even if they’ve been advised to.
Can you get in trouble for lying to a private online pharmacy?
You won’t be punished for withholding or providing false information, but your order will be rejected when your GP discloses the correct information to the online pharmacy.
Private pharmacies are also entitled to refuse prescription requests for safety reasons if they believe someone is withholding or providing incorrect information that could affect the safety of future prescribing decisions.
Who at a GP has access to your private medical prescription information?
It can differ from surgery to surgery, depending on their individual privacy policies. Your GP will be the one to review your information, but other staff in the surgery (like receptionists) may have access to this information so it can be logged. But every time someone accesses your clinical record it will be logged, and the person accessing it can risk disciplinary action if it’s done without reason.
What will happen if I haven’t seen my GP in years?
If you haven’t seen your GP in a long time, the information they have for you could be outdated. The online pharmacy you use will need to verify some information (for example your weight, to calculate your BMI). But this won’t affect your ability to get a private prescription – you just might need to answer a couple of questions from the pharmacy.
Can I request my GP not be told about my private prescriptions?
It’ll depend on the private pharmacy service you’re using – but usually, yes. With Treated, we’ll usually only tell your GP if you choose to opt-in to notifying them. But for some treatments, we’re required to let your GP know (we’ll always ask for your consent first, though). Conditions we’re required to notify your GP regarding treatment include:
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- COPD
- Hypothyroidism
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Morning sickness
Can certain medications be excluded from your record?
There are two different ways that information on your record can be used. One is for your direct care, and the other is for research.
For your direct care, your medical history is required to be logged for safety reasons. This is so any clinician assessing you is aware of the medications you’re using and any allergies or health conditions you may have – like if you need to go to accident and emergency, for example. This allows them to make the best decisions for your health depending on your circumstances.
Your patient information can also be used by organisations like universities to plan or improve healthcare services, and research certain conditions. You can opt out of your medical record being used for these purposes, but only within the health and care services in England. If you choose to opt-out, this won’t affect any data collected when accessing health or care services outside of England (like Northern Ireland, Scotland, or Wales). Head to the NHS’s your data matters page for more information on opting out of research and planning.
What will happen if I don’t have a GP?
In this case, it will be down to the private pharmacy service you use to perform the correct checks for your safety. While having a GP isn’t a requirement, it’s strongly recommended, because you can’t be referred to specialist services without one. If your treatment requires further support, like is the case with diabetes, COPD, thyroid conditions, or high blood pressure, you may need to register with a GP before you can get treatment from a private pharmacy.
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Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
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