Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to ensure that national best practice guidelines are adhered to in provision of treatment of gonorrhoea through online pharmacies.

Pharmacies with premises in Great Britain, including on-line pharmacies, that are registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council must comply with the standards set by that Council. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians registered with the Council and who work in any pharmacy must similarly comply with the standards of conduct, ethics and performance set by the Council including legal and professional requirements and accepted guidance on professional practice.

Testing and treatment services, irrespective of how and where they are provided, should meet national standards recommended by the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV and Public Health England. Ultimately it is for doctors and other prescribers “to provide effective treatments based on the best available evidence” in accordance with guidance from the General Medical Council and other regulatory bodies.

Any website found to be operating in breach of regulations governing the supply of medicines can be referred to Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority for consideration and further action.