Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the safeguards in place to protect minors from purchasing medications online.

In February 2025, the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) published updated, strengthened, guidance in response to concerns identified relating to unsafe prescribing and supply of medicines online.

Prescribers, whether National Health Service or private, are accountable for their prescribing decisions, and are expected to take account of appropriate national guidance such as this.

Prescribers are expected to verify the information given to them by the patient to ensure any medicines prescribed are appropriate – for example, through a video consultation, using a patient’s clinical record, or contacting the patient’s general practitioner. This helps to safeguard vulnerable patients, including minors.

The GPhC, Care Quality Commission and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency have the powers to investigate and act against rogue prescribers, products and suppliers and we are clear they have our full support to crack down on any online services putting people in danger.