Students warned over fake meds

FRESHERS and university students are being warned of the possible dangers to their health from self-prescribing and self-medicating with powerful prescription medicines.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is running the #FakeMeds campaign to help students protect their health and money, with tips on how to avoid potentially dangerous or useless medicines sold by illegal online suppliers.

MHRA head of enforcement, Alastair Jeffrey, says: “Purchasing medicines outside the regulated supply chain has inherent dangers as there is no assurance of quality and standards. Medicines purchased in this way could have the wrong active ingredient, no active ingredient, or indeed the incorrect dosage.

“Prescription-only medicines are, by their very nature, potent and should only be prescribed by a doctor or appropriate healthcare professional. We would advise people not to buy medicines from unregulated sources as they pose a danger to their health.

“Self-diagnosis and self-medication can be dangerous. If you have a concern visit your GP, get a correct diagnosis and if medicines are prescribed, buy them from a legitimate source. Be careful buying medicines online – criminals are known to exploit people by supplying medicines through unregulated websites.”

Visit gov.uk/fakemeds for tips on buying medicines safely online.