Members of the public are advised to look for the logo which will appear on websites of all registered EU pharmacies and medicines retailers.
“Falsified medicines are a significant health risk to patients,” said Minister for Primary Care and Social Care Kathleen Lynch.
“10.1million counterfeit and illicit pills were confiscated in 10 days in June 2013. 50 per cent of the medicine sold by unregulated online retailers is estimated by the World Health Organisation to be unreliable and potentially harmful. Often the fake medicine doesn’t contain the active ingredient that is needed to make the medicine work, or it contains the wrong dose.
“The substances that are used to bulk up the medicine can also be harmful.
“Fake medicines are a significant problem. While it might be tempting to buy medicines on-line consumers have no way of knowing if the medicines are safe or if they will work properly. Many internet sites that supply medicines hide their true identity and location to deceive people.”
