MHRA guidance helps you check medicines, spot fakes, and report problems quickly. Use it when buying drugs online, picking treatment for a condition, or handling side effects. This page explains simple steps you can take right now to reduce risk and stay legal.
Only buy prescription medicines from pharmacies registered in the UK or your country. In the UK look for a GPhC number and the MHRA logo on the site, plus clear contact details and a registered address. Avoid sites that offer controlled drugs without a prescription, big discounts on high‑risk items, or pressure to buy fast. Check patient leaflets, batch numbers, and expiry dates when your parcel arrives.
For high-risk medicines like clozapine or injectable treatments, always follow monitoring rules and get blood tests or clinic checks as advised. These drugs have special safety steps for a reason.
If a medicine makes you worse, shows strange packaging, or the leaflet is missing, tell your pharmacist and your doctor straight away. Use the MHRA Yellow Card scheme to report side effects and suspected counterfeit or contaminated products. The MHRA publishes urgent safety updates and recall lists online — check them before you act, especially after media reports or pharmacy warnings.
Buying abroad? Know import rules and taxes. Many countries block some medicines or require a local prescription. If a drug arrives without proper labelling or it looks different from what you expect, do not take it.
Need help choosing a safe pharmacy or understanding a safety notice? Ask your GP or local pharmacist to explain the risk and next steps. For businesses and prescribers, follow MHRA guidance on labelling, reporting, and controlled drug handling to avoid penalties and protect patients.
Use trusted sources like GOV.UK and the MHRA site for alerts, and bookmark the Yellow Card page. Staying informed cuts risk and helps you act fast when something goes wrong.
Example: buying hormone or fertility drugs online often needs a valid prescription and clinic paperwork. Leuprolide and Duphaston require correct dosing and monitoring; skip shortcuts.
Another example: online steroid stores may promise fast delivery and low price. Those sites can sell counterfeit or unsafe products and hide legal risks. If you see bold claims and no medical advice, walk away.
Keep records of orders, batch numbers, and communication with sellers. That makes reporting easier and helps your clinician decide on tests or treatment changes if needed.
If you work in a clinic, train staff to spot suspect packs and set a simple protocol for handling returns and recalls. Quick action protects patients and avoids bigger problems.
Start today: bookmark MHRA alerts, check pharmacy registration numbers, keep receipts, and ask your pharmacist if you are unsure. Small checks stop harm and save time when things go wrong. If a medicine causes severe symptoms go to A&E and tell staff about the drug and batch number. Stay curious and stay safe always.
