When you buy medicines or medical devices online, you don't know who's made them, or what's going into them.
The product may look right, but you can't tell if:
- they are counterfeit
- they have the wrong amount of active ingredient
- they are contaminated with toxic chemicals
- they contain undisclosed dangerous or illegal ingredients.
All of this can have major consequences for you. It can:
- be dangerous to your health
- leave you out of pocket if your purchase is stopped at the border.
In extreme cases you could even be in trouble with the law.
Watch our video about the risks of buying medicines and medical devices online.
Transcript
Buying medicines or medical devices online
If you're ordering medicine, health equipment, medical devices or supplies online, the Therapeutic Goods Administration, or TGA, is here to help inform you and help you make the best choices for your health.
After all, there are a lot of tempting options online, but it's difficult to tell which products are regulated, and making the wrong purchase could leave you risking your health, put you out of pocket, or, in extreme cases, in trouble with the law.
The problem is, when you buy medicines or medical devices online, you just don't know who's made them, or what's going into them.
The medicines may look right, but you have no way of knowing if they are counterfeit, have the wrong amount of active ingredient, are contaminated with toxic chemicals, or contain undisclosed dangerous or illegal ingredients. All of this can have major consequences for you. It can be dangerous to your health, leave you out of pocket if your purchase is stopped at the border, or in extreme cases you could even be in trouble with the law.
A medical device may look just the same as the more expensive version in the shop, but medical devices supplied in Australia are subject to strict TGA regulations ensuring that they meet standards for quality, safety, and performance, and are manufactured under approved controls, using appropriate and quality materials.
So, if the dangers of buying medicines or medical devices online are making you stop and think, do your research. Make sure you're buying from a legitimate Australian pharmacy or supplier. Use the TGA's online resources or talk to your doctor. Make tga.gov.au the first site you check before you buy any therapeutic goods online.