- Home
- How to check an online pharmacy is registered
How to check an online pharmacy is registered
Every pharmacy in Great Britain must be on the General Pharmaceutical Council register. Checking takes three steps and about two minutes.
By Gary Atmos, Penzilla Editorial Team. Last reviewed 8 October 2026.
The three step register check
- Find the number. Scroll to the footer of the pharmacy's site. Look for "GPhC" followed by seven digits, such as 9011199.
- Search the register. Enter the number at pharmacyregulation.org/registers.
- Match the details. The trading name and address on the register should agree with the website. A mismatch is a reason to walk away.
Reading the register result
A valid entry shows the status "Registered", the premises address and the owner. An entry marked with conditions means the regulator has set limits on the pharmacy. No entry at all means stop.
Four more checks
- A named superintendent pharmacist. Search the name on the same register.
- Real questions. A genuine service asks about your health and checks your weight. No questions, no purchase.
- A UK address and phone line.
- A believable price. Today's lowest first order price for Mounjaro 2.5mg from a registered pharmacy is £90. Half this figure from an unknown seller should worry you.
Inspection reports
The GPhC inspects pharmacies and publishes the outcome. Search the pharmacy name on the GPhC inspections site to see whether standards were met.
Sellers to avoid outright
Anyone on social media or a messaging app. Salons and gyms. Sites selling powder or vials to mix at home. Sites offering products with no UK licence. Anyone asking for a bank transfer or cryptocurrency.
Northern Ireland
A pharmacy based in Northern Ireland appears on the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland register.
If something seems wrong
Report fake medicines and reactions to the MHRA on the Yellow Card site. Complain about a registered pharmacy to the GPhC.
Penzilla's own check
We check each pharmacy's registration certificate manually before listing. Select a pharmacy name in a table to reach its register entry.
Questions people ask
Where is the GPhC number on a pharmacy website?
Normally in the footer, sometimes on the About page.
What does 'conditions' mean on a GPhC entry?
The regulator has restricted what the pharmacy can do. Read the detail before ordering.
Can a registered pharmacy still be a bad choice?
Registration covers legal and professional standards, not price or service speed. Compare those separately.
Is a consultation always required?
Yes, for any prescription only medicine.
Sources
- General Pharmaceutical Council, register of pharmacies
- General Pharmaceutical Council, inspection reports
- General Pharmaceutical Council, guidance for pharmacies providing services at a distance, including on the internet, February 2025
- MHRA, Yellow Card reporting site
