Your online pharmacy questions answered

It's no wonder that the industry of healthcare is developing to accommodate the changing expectations of patients in an age when ease and accessibility dominate. The rise of online pharmacies has been one of the most significant changes in recent years, especially with the higher demand for health services and lack of resources.  

You may now get prescription medication, over-the-counter medications, and a wide selection of health supplies from the convenience of your own home with the press of a button. However, this convenience comes with an abundance of concerns and worries. Is it safe to use online pharmacies? How do they function? Can you trust your health and well-being in their hands? 

If you've ever found yourself wondering these questions or have been curious about the world of online pharmacies, you've come to the right place. In this article, we aim to address your questions and shed light on the inner workings of online pharmacies. We'll explore the benefits, risks, regulations, and best practices associated with this booming industry.  

So, whether you're a seasoned online pharmacy user or thinking about making the switch from traditional brick-and-mortar pharmacies, read on as we eliminate the myths and mysteries surrounding online pharmacies and provide you with the information you need to make informed healthcare decisions.  

What is an online pharmacy? 

Like a brick-and-mortar store, an online pharmacy works in a very similar way, by providing a health service and the dispensing of medicines for patients. Like a walk-in pharmacy, anyone can use an online pharmacy too, although, there may be age restrictions e.g., not offering medicines for a child. An example of this is Oxford Online Pharmacy as the online doctor service is for people over 18 only, however, we can supply non-prescription medicines for children e.g. Gaviscon Infant sachets, and Aveeno products, this is one of our many safety measures in place, we will go into more detail about this shortly.  

At most online pharmacies, you can get free of charge private prescriptions issued by the pharmacy's own GMC-registered doctors, you will only need to pay for the price of the medicine. As well and from most online pharmacies you can get your NHS prescriptions fulfilled and only pay the NHS prescription charge, which is £9.65 in 2023. 

How do online pharmacies work? 

Online pharmacies help you to obtain the guidance and treatment you require, at the best prices possible. 

Providing a comprehensive range of treatments available online for ailments such as erectile dysfunction, hair loss, and hormone replacement therapy. 

Within an online pharmacy team are normally doctors, pharmacists, dispensers, and other medical professionals. 

The online pharmacy team are available via email, phone, and live chat to help you. See Oxford Online Pharmacies' contact details here. 

The Oxford Online Pharmacy online doctor service enables patients to complete consultations online to determine their appropriateness for treatment. GPs are trained and registered in the UK, and they ensure that the medications they prescribe are safe and effective for your illness. 

Once you place an order online, and your order has been approved by one of our GMC registered doctors, a prescription will then be issued and sent to a dedicated dispensing team.  

Once your prescription reaches the team, they will dispense the medicines as per your prescription, and then a pharmacist with do final checks before your medicines and securely packed and ready for delivery.  

To get started you will complete an online consultation form for the doctor, and your treatment will be delivered to your door by Royal Mail. So, let’s go into more detail on how you order medicines online. 

How to order medicines online? 

You can order medicines online from Oxford Online Pharmacy in 3 simple steps: 

Step 1: 
You will go through to the consultation first and fill out a free two-minute online consultation so one of our doctors can decide whether this is the correct treatment for you. Then select and pay for the item.

Please contact us if you require assistance or guidance. 

Step 2: 
Your responses will be reviewed by one of our experienced, impartial, UK-registered doctors. They will ensure that this is the appropriate treatment for you. 

Step 3: 
Your treatment will be delivered to you in a discreet and timely manner by our delivery provider, Royal Mail. We constantly use discreet packaging so that no one can determine what kind of product is inside. 

Are online pharmacies legal? 

While many pharmacies online are legal, there are unfortunately many illegitimate pharmacies too.  When buying medicines online it is important you always check their legitimacy. This can be done in a few ways:

1. Is there a GPhC logo on the site? Do the links work when you click on them? 
2. Is there a phone number I can contact? Is that phone number connected to a live person? Can you contact a pharmacist? 
3. Is the website owned by a registered UK pharmacy? 
4. Is the website selling prescription-only medications that do not require a prescription? If so, take a step back. 

If you have concerns with any of the above, it’s not worth risking your health, normally these sites offer cheaper prices which initially pull you in, however, the reason the prices are cheaper is that they are not paying a doctor or pharmacist to safely supply this medicine, therefore, they are able to offer a more competitive price compared to a legitimate pharmacy.

Another reason you should not buy from a non-legitimate pharmacy is that you do not know if the medicines provided will be what they say they are. Your safety is more important.  

How to check a pharmacy license online? 

All pharmacies in the United Kingdom, including those offering internet services, must be registered with the GPhC (General Pharmaceutical Council) and meet their registered pharmacy requirements. 

The GPhC runs a voluntary internet pharmacy logo scheme to reassure patients and the general public that they are buying medicines online from registered pharmacies that must meet GPhC criteria. Make sure you look for this on the pharmacy's website, then you can go on the GPhC website and check their registration number. If the online pharmacy does not show on the GPhc website it is very likely that the number is fake, and you should not use the pharmacy.  

Is Oxford Online Pharmacy genuine? 

Yes, Oxford Online Pharmacy is a legitimate pharmacy. Oxford Online Pharmacy is a trading name of Frosts Online Ltd in Oxfordshire, a three-generation family business founded in 1925. 

Stuart Gale, Managing Director and Pharmacist, and Superintendent Pharmacist Robert Bradshaw lead our team of seasoned pharmacists and healthcare professionals. 

A fully registered UK pharmacy dedicated to online translation of the values and traditions of Oxfordshire-based brick-and-mortar pharmacies. Patient safety is the top priority, and there is a dedication to providing the best customer care to every patient who visits the site. 

Oxford Online Pharmacy was one of only a handful of online pharmacies to pass the most recent series of CQC inspections for digital healthcare services across all categories of care. 

According to the most recent CQC report, they are "providing safe, effective, and well-led services." The full text of our CQC report can be found here. 

What are the risks and benefits of an online pharmacy? 

Buying products online comes with many benefits, although, any purchase online can also come with risks. Below is a list of the benefits vs. risks of an online pharmacy: 

Benefits: 

• More range of products.  
• Online GMC-registered doctors. 
• Cheaper or more competitive prices. 
• Regular discounts. 
• Extensive condition and treatment information.  
• GPHC registered pharmacists.  
• Next-day delivery options.  
• Completely secure service. 
• Fast, free, discreet deliveries. 
• Providing NHS services. 
• Trust pilot reviews.  
• Larger range of products.  
• Confidential advice.  
• Informative blogs. 
• Beneficial to those who live in a rural/remote area.  
• More convenient and saves time.  
• You don’t need to speak to someone face to face. 

Risks: 

• Less pharmacist/patient interaction. 
• Some online pharmacies operate without being registered.  
• Risk of medicines not arriving on time.  
• Legitimate medicines.  
• Hidden charges.  
• Safety of personal information. 
• Different suppliers and brands of medicines.  

Which is the best online pharmacy UK? 

When looking for the best online pharmacy, you need to assess what you are looking for from a healthcare provider. Be it competitive prices, big discounts, a high trust pilot score or a next-day delivery service. Most of the time it will be down to your personal preference.  

However, it is important you always check the legitimacy of a pharmacy; this can be done by checking a pharmacy's license with regulatory authorities such as the GPhC. 

Check out our blog post on which online pharmacy is best UK for a more detailed comparison and analysis of some of the most popular pharmacies online.