Online pharmacies ‘may endanger patient health’

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<i>Illustration: Cathy Wilcox</i>

Illustration: Cathy Wilcox

Online prescription services are undermining GP and pharmacy standards and can put patients at risk, health experts warn.

Doctors selling drugs over the internet without meeting patients face-to-face have come under fire for writing prescriptions without seeing their medical records.

Critics say the services make it easier to self-diagnose and discourage patients from going to their doctor to ensure medications are not causing adverse reactions.

There are also concerns about confirming patient’s identities and that some imported drugs may not meet Australian standards.