25
March
HEALTHCARE
COVID-19: EMA's rules for keeping safe when buying medicines
25/03/2020
The European Medicines Agency warned the general public to be careful while buying medicinal products and to avoid unauthorised websites and other vendors who exploit fears and concerns during the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19.
According to EMA, some vendors may claim that their products can treat or prevent COVID-19 or may appear to provide easy access to legitimate medicines that are otherwise not readily available. Such products are likely to be falsified medicines.
For these reasons, the Agency recommends to european citizens to buy medicinal products only by a local pharmacy or an online pharmacy duly authorized, that has the logo provided for by the european law, and reminds the public that there are currently no treatments authorised for COVID-19.
EMA also indicates the rules for keeping safe when buying medicines:
- falsified medicines can cause serious harm
- when buying over the internet, only use registered online pharmacies
- check that the online pharmacy you are using has the common logo
- click on the logo and confirm that the online pharmacy is listed on the national authority website
- do not buy medicines advertised as cures or preventive treatments for COVID-19. To treat COVID-related symptoms such as fever, discuss with your doctor or follow advice from authorities.