We get asked many questions about buying medication online from abroad. One of the most asked questions is "will the tablets look the same?" and "I received my order but the box looks different from the box I used to get in my local pharmacy. why is this?"

It feels like drug companies are intentionally trying to confuse us. In some cases this may be true, but most of the time it's just down to marketing.

Different countries and cultures respond better to different names and packaging.The name might have offensive connotations. The trademark might already be in use - these are just a few of the main explanations that Pharma companies have come up with.

Here's what to look out for when buying medication online, from abroad and some advice on safe practice.