Industry logos 'ineffective'
* 54% don't know how to verify legitimacy of online pharmacies
* 95% would buy medication online if legitimacy could be verified
* Value of counterfeit Viagra seized hits an all time high.
Research out today has revealed that, in spite of measures being taken by the pharmaceutical industry to reassure consumers that the online pharmacy they are visiting is legitimate, only 39% of respondents were aware that a couple of simple checks could offer the reassurance they are looking for. Last year, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) introduced a mandatory logo, for display on every page of any website offering medicines for sale to the general public. This, along with the presence of other logos such as that of the GPhC (General Pharmaceutical Council) on the website are intended to act as a 'seal of approval' for consumers. However, a recent survey conducted by Oxford Online Pharmacy, revealed that less than half (39%) of respondents were aware of the role of the industry logos. Yet, of those that have not used an online pharmacy to purchase medication, 41% did not do so out of fear that their purchase would be counterfeit.
