During a special seminar held on April 19, organised by the Consumer Affairs Council and highlighting the various regulatory authorities and their role in promoting consumer protection, it was pointed out by Patricia Vella Bonanno, a pharmacist from the Malta Medicines Authority, that it was dangerous to buy medicines over the internet.

It was pointed out that medicines bought through authorised pharmacies are subjected to serious scrutiny and analysis by the local Medicines Authority to ensure consumer protection. We all know that most consumers of medicines are also patients.

It is a fact that there have been cases of “falsified medicines” changing hands underhandedly and exposing consumers to serious health risks.

For this reason, it is better to play for safety and refrain from buying medicines via the internet.