Internet Supply List: Overview

What you need to know

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• What medicines can be sold online?

  The Internet Supply List is divided into two parts:

  A. Part A of the list contains registered pharmacies engaged in internet supply. Pharmacies selling non-prescription medicines online are entitled to sell the following categories of medicines:

  • Pharmacy Only Medicines: These are medicines that can only be sold from a pharmacy under the supervision of a pharmacist, e.g., ibuprofen, etc.
  • General Sales Medicines: These are medicines that can be sold in pharmacies and in non-pharmacy retailers, such as supermarkets and newsagents. Some examples of general sales list medicines are paracetamol (maximum pack size of 12 tablets), some cough bottles and certain nicotine replacement therapies. A number of general sales list medicines are subject to maximum pack sizes, such as paracetamol, as above. The list of medicines on general sale can be accessed on the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) website.

  B. Part B of the list contains non-pharmacy retailers. These suppliers are permitted to sell General Sales List Medicines only.

• What is the common logo?

  All websites in the European Union (EU), including Ireland, which supply medicines online have to display a common logo introduced by the EU. The common logo, which is recognisable throughout the EU, will provide a link to the approved supplier list for the country where the website is established.

  The common logo must be clearly displayed on websites offering medicinal products for sale to the public over the internet.

  The common logo will enable the public to identify legitimate online suppliers of non-prescription medicines, so that they can be sure they are purchasing safe and genuine medicines online.

  The logo not only provides a visual means to help the public identify whether a website is a legitimate supplier of non-prescription medicines, but will also provide a direct link to the relevant country’s approved supplier list. By clicking on the logo, members of the public can check that the supplier is on the approved list.

• Who can use the common logo?

  Only suppliers who have been notified to the PSI and have been entered on the Internet Supply List are authorised and entitled to display the common logo on their website.

  By clicking on the logo, you will be taken to the Internet Supply List on the PSI website, where you will be able to confirm that the supplier is on the list.

• Can I buy medicines from non-Irish websites?

  Websites which are established outside of Ireland, but within the EU, are entitled to supply non-prescription medicinal products into Ireland as long as the product supplied has been authorised for use in Ireland by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).

  These websites must also display the common logo applicable in their country which is the same as the logo above, but will display the flag of the country in which it is established.

  Customers and suppliers should be aware that there may be differences between countries regarding classification of medicinal products and the conditions for their supply.

• Where can I find websites displaying the logo?

  Websites displaying the common logo can be found by searching the Internet Supply List on the PSI website.

• What other checks should I make before buying non-prescription medicines online?

  Checking a website for the common logo is one of a number of checks you should make before purchasing your non-prescription medicines over the internet. You should also:

  • avoid websites which offer to supply prescription-only medicines without a prescription;
  • be aware that all websites selling non-prescription medicines online are required to check the following:

  1. that the customer is over 18,
  2. the the customer knows that the medicine should be used in accordance with the recommendations for use contained on the packaging of the product,
  3. that the total quantity of the product supplied is reasonably required by the customer for his or her personal treatment.

  • be aware that pharmacies are also required to check that a medicine is suitable for a patient before selling it; if you are not asked to provide this information about your health before a purchase, you should consider buying your medicine elsewhere.

• Ordering from a Large Pharmacy Group or Retail Chain

  You should be aware that not all individual pharmacies or stores in a group or chain are required to be entered on the Internet Supply List. Groups and chains are only required to notify the PSI of those pharmacies or stores from which they supply non-prescription medicinal products.

  You should be informed as part of your order which pharmacy or store your non-prescription medicine will be supplied from. You can then check that the individual pharmacy or store from which you are being supplied is entered on the list.

• Raising Concerns

  If you have concerns about a supplier entered on the PSI Internet Supply List, please contact the PSI at internetsupply@psi.ie, or on 01-218 4000.

  If you have concerns about a website that is supplying medicines without displaying the common logo, please contact the PSI at internetsupply@psi.ie, or on 01-218 4000.

• Your Consumer Rights Online

  If you would like further information on your rights as a consumer buying products online, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (formerly the National Consumer Agency) has a Consumer Help website.

  The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission enforces the distance selling and e-commerce regulations and can investigate possible breaches of legislation or our consumer rights.