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The outgoing General Pharmaceutical Council chief executive Duncan Rudkin has urged the public to check its register to ensure they avoid using illegally operated online pharmacies for their medicines.

Concerns about unregistered online pharmacies selling counterfeit medicines grew this month when an investigation by cybersecurity software Avast uncovered more than 5,000 advertising medicines without prescriptions or face-to-face consultations.

Rudkin (pictured) said people should use the GPhC’s online search to make sure the website is being run by a legitimate pharmacy amid fears the public may be turning to fake sites to get weight management medicines in particular.

“Recent reports have highlighted there are thousands of illegal websites falsely claiming to be pharmacies and selling medicines to people without a consultation or a prescription,” he said.

“We are also aware of concerns that people taking medicines used for weight management may turn to illegal online sellers to obtain these medicines at a lower cost, following recent announcements of price rises and stock shortages.

“We would urge people to make sure any prescription medicines they get online are dispensed from a pharmacy registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council.”

Insisting the GPhC works “very closely” with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to help tackle the illegal online trade of medicines, Rudkin encouraged the public to use the MHRA’s website checking tool.

“Anyone using illegal websites is taking a huge risk with their health, as they may receive counterfeit medicines that contain dangerous ingredients,” he said. “Even if the medicine is genuine, it may not be appropriate for them and could cause them real harm.”