First reported 8 Aug 2013•Latest report 23 Apr 2025
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes failures or hazards in systems supplying or enabling access to UK prescription-only medicines outside regulated prescribing, including unregulated online sale, purchase or postal delivery without prescription, where the unsafe access condition is directly identified.
Not included
Excludes deficiencies limited to age or identity verification where unsafe access to prescription-only medicines outside regulated prescribing is not also asserted.
Excludes medication quantity, dosage, authenticity, clinical-history or self-diagnosis controls unless they are part of the broader failure to control access outside regulated prescribing.
Excludes lawful online prescribing and dispensing where the relevant regulated-prescribing safeguards are operating.
Excludes illicit-drug supply or lethal-substance access where prescription-only medicine access outside regulated prescribing is not the shared condition.
Reports
5
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
6
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2013–2025
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
16
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Department of Health and Social Care3
Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport2
Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (2017 to 2023)1
NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board1
Ministerial department4
Integrated care board1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Ceredigion
Concerns raised1
Unregulated and unlawful online sale of prescription-only medicines and controlled drugs
This report raised 6 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.9
Action
Enhance collaboration with search engines and UK internet service providers to block harmful content through targeted filtering.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 25 April 2025.
Action
Collaborate with Ofcom to explore preventative opportunities under the Online Safety Act.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 25 April 2025.
Action
Increase collaboration with UK Border Force to expand border operations and increase seizures of illegally trafficked medicines.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 25 April 2025.
Action
Use technology to identify, track and seize proceeds of crime, including cryptocurrency.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 25 April 2025.
Action
Roll out an online service enabling users to check whether pharmaceutical-selling websites have been deemed fraudulent by the MHRA.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 25 April 2025.
Action
Implement a web-based scheme allowing users to report suspicious websites, marketplaces and social media listings to the MHRA.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 25 April 2025.
Action
Collaborate with UK banking and payment providers to disrupt payment mechanisms used by illegal prescription-medicine suppliers.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 25 April 2025.
Action
Use artificial intelligence to proactively identify illicit internet domains for enforcement action.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 25 April 2025.
Action
Work with Ofcom to implement the Online Safety Act quickly and effectively.
Stated by Department for Science, Innovation and TechnologyStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 25 April 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.4
Position
The GPhC, other professional regulators, CQC and MHRA have responsibility and powers to investigate unlawful online providers and take enforcement action.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
UK authorities cannot seize or control illicit overseas domains or compel registrars to suspend them, especially beyond UK jurisdiction.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
Regulation of medicines and devices, including unlawful prescription-medicine websites, is largely outside the department’s remit.
Stated by Department for Science, Innovation and TechnologyOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
The MHRA is responsible for addressing the unlawful websites and will respond separately about its approach.
Stated by Department for Science, Innovation and TechnologyRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Inner North London
Concerns raised1
Failure to regulate and verify online sales of prescription-only sedative medication
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Monitor online channels, investigate and prosecute illegal medicine sellers, and remove illicit websites and criminal profits.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 December 2023.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
The MHRA is responsible for enforcing regulations against the illegal sale and supply of human medicines.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Online platforms and search services are responsible for preventing and removing illegal drug-sale content under the Online Safety Act 2023.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Suffolk
Concerns raised2
Failure to regulate online suppliers of prescription-only medication
Failure to prevent uncoordinated quantities of prescription-only medication from online suppliers
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Work with regulators to improve oversight of online prescribers and address legislative regulatory gaps.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 27 December 2019.
Action
Work with regulators to identify options for addressing online providers’ attempts to circumvent regulatory scrutiny.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 27 December 2019.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Oversight of online providers outside CQC regulation may fall to the General Pharmaceutical Council or Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Inner South London
Concerns raised1
Unrestricted internet access to prescription-only drugs without medical supervision
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.4
Action
Work with internet providers to ensure compliance with the law and support closure of UK-based websites committing drug offences.
Stated by Home OfficeStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 20 October 2014.
Action
Work with international partners to develop an effective response to overseas internet supply of controlled drugs and address emerging threats.
Stated by Home OfficeStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 20 October 2014.
Action
Build partnerships with international partners to tackle illegally trading websites identified outside UK jurisdiction.
Stated by Home OfficeStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 20 October 2014.
Action
Work with the EU and international regulatory agencies to ensure offending websites comply with the law wherever possible.
Stated by Home OfficeStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 20 October 2014.
South Lincolnshire
Concerns raised1
Access by seasonal workers to UK prescription-only medicines posted from home without prescription
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Includes failures or hazards in systems supplying or enabling access to UK prescription-only medicines outside regulated prescribing, including unregulated online sale, purchase or postal delivery without prescription, where the unsafe access condition is directly identified.
