Watch out for fake online pharmacies – be careful where you shop

The Finnish Medicines Agency Fimea is warning Finns about the growing trend of fake online pharmacies, or websites that mimic pharmacies. These websites sell products presented as medication without appropriate authorisation.   

– Fake pharmacies may seem credible and use names and web addresses that resemble Finnish pharmacies, but in reality, they are not a licensed pharmacy, says Senior Pharmaceutical Inspector Sami Paaskoski. 

The range of products provided by fake pharmacies is typically limited and consists of products that people are interested in for various reasons. 

– For example, erectile medication has been available from fake pharmacies for a long time. Recent notable additions include products used for weight loss, for example because of problems with availability and general interest, says Paaskoski.

Fake pharmacies can compromise your health and security 

– There is no guarantee of the content and quality of products ordered from illegitimate online pharmacies, and they can even be life-threatening, Paaskoski points out. 

There is also a risk of the misuse of personal and payment data: fake pharmacies can use online forms to collect data that could be used for criminal activity such as identity theft. 

There are restrictions and document requirements on the proper import and reception of personal medicines by post.  

– For example, receiving medicines by post from outside the European Economic Area is prohibited, Paaskoski says.

How to identify a legitimate online pharmacy 

Fimea would like to remind that medicines may only be sold online by licensed pharmacies in Finland. Legitimate Finnish online pharmacies can be easily found in the list maintained by Fimea. Legitimate online pharmacies operating in the EU can be identified by a common symbol, more information on which can be found on Fimea’s website. 

How to identify a safe online pharmacy: 

1. Look out for the EU’s common logo for online pharmacies on the website. 
2. Click on the logo and make sure it takes you to an authority’s website. 
3. Check that the pharmacy is included in Fimea’s list (in finnish). Information for other EU countries is available on the website of the European Medicines Agency. 

Read more 

Ordering medicines online 

List of legitimate online pharmacy services (in finnish) 

Bringing medicines to Finland