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Evidence suggests that counterfeit medicines in the UK are on the increase. However, despite some media reports, the risk of counterfeit medicines in reputable UK pharmacies is extremely low indeed. Most incidences of counterfeit medicine in the UK derive from illegitimate, Internet pharmacy supply of ‘lifestyle’ medicines such as drugs for erectile dysfunction, weight loss and hair retention.

MSD is aware that products claiming to be PROPECIA are advertised on some Internet sites (hosted on servers outside the UK) as available to buy without a prescription.

In the UK, PROPECIA is a Prescription-Only Medicine that should only be taken after a patient has obtained a prescription following consultation with a healthcare professional. It is illegal to supply prescription-only medicines in the UK without a prescription signed by a healthcare professional. Accordingly, MSD strongly recommends patients should only fulfil prescriptions from a community pharmacy or an accredited UK online pharmacy. Patients are placing themselves potentially at risk if they take prescription-only medicines without first having consulted a healthcare professional or if they choose to buy such medicines from unlicensed Internet sites.

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