Buying drugs on the web warning

Lawyers and Doctors today warned of the dangers of buying medicines from websites after a woman who treated herself with a steroid bought on the internet developed cataracts, a clouding of the lens of the eye, and glaucoma, which damages the optic nerve. Both potentially blinding conditions were caused by steroid use.

She is likely to need medical attention for the rest of her life.

The 64-year-old patient obtained the drug, prednisolone, from an online pharmaceutical company in Thailand.

She took the oral steroid for four years to treat chronic fatigue syndrome, which she diagnosed herself.

Some medicines advertised online were found to be counterfeit and contained a "concoction" of compounds bearing little resemblance to the description on their label, doctors warned.

Seek proper medical advice before buying prescription drugs on the internet

Lawyers from Irwin Mitchell said "It is essential that people protect themselves by seeking the proper medication from a qualified physician."

"Trying to seek compensation for any negative effects arising from self medication, after purchasing drugs from these sorts of websites, would be practically impossible."

"The usual safeguards associated with recourse to legal action in the event of personal disaster would not apply."

Do you have a claim? If you or someone you know has been effected by drugs bought online, our solicitors can help. Visit our drug liability claim section.