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<p>In the United Kingdom, all categories of medicines may be traded online legally
but in the case of prescription only medicines (POM) and pharmacy (P) medicines, these
may only be sold or supplied to the public through registered pharmacy premises (by
or under the supervision of a pharmacist). Additionally, POMs may only be supplied
in response to a prescription from an authorised healthcare professional.</p><p> </p><p>
</p><p> </p><p>A UK registered pharmacy may have a presence on the internet; however
the requirements of legislation apply equally to both UK internet pharmacies and bricks-and-mortar
premises.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory
Agency (MHRA) monitors the internet for websites operating outside legal requirements
and, in collaboration with Internet Service Providers, takes steps to close down sites
both in the UK and abroad. The MHRA has closed down 1,973 websites (including those
based overseas) during 2015 alone and brought into compliance many others.</p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The illegal sale and supply of medicines via Internet poses
considerable risks to UK patients but this is in essence a global problem and the
MHRA is working with other regulators, law enforcement authorities and Government
Departments within the UK, European Union and elsewhere to address the complex issues
involved.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
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