The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has released a new function titled the Medicines Website Checker (MWC).
The new feature allows the public to access a searchable database that lists scam websites known to be selling or offering to sell medicines illegally to help people stay safe when buying medicines online.
The tool includes sites supplying genuine products without meeting legal requirements, such as selling prescription-only medicines without a valid prescription.
Alongside the new function, the UK regulator also unveiled The Reporting Tool form which allows individuals to report suspicious online sellers of medicines or medical devices.
Andy Morling, who heads MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit (CEU), said, “The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has launched the MWC in a limited public beta phase to monitor usage, gather feedback, and refine the tool ahead of a full rollout. The MWC is a new public service designed to help people stay safe when buying medicines online. The service also links directly to a new e-reporting tool, and signposts to resources like the MHRA’s long-running Fake Meds campaign. This phased launch ensures the MWC is tested, refined and fully effective before being more widely promoted.”