One in two turn to web for drugs

One in two pharmacists have customers who admit to buying medicine without a prescription online, risking serious health complications.

The research by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, in partnership with drug giant Pfizer, whihc makes Viagra, found 73 per cent of pharmacists believe buying medicines from illicit websites is on the increase, and 85 per cent believe it is a risk to their health and potentially their lives. The medicines range from pills to treat erectile dysfunction, mental illness and cancer.

More than half of those questioned felt people were buying online because it was quicker and also because they were too embarrassed to see a GP. However experts warned fake medicine could contain totally different drugs to those advertised - which could interact with other drugs, exacerbate other ailments, or simply prove toxic.

Locum pharmacist Arthur Jolley believes the fact online drugs can be a third cheaper is also a factor. He said men in their 30s and 40s might not want others to know they have a problem: “I just put up ‘buy Viagra’ online and there are 10 screen pages of opportunities.

“A customer probably have a regular pharmacist but doesn’t want staff or the pharmacist to know he has a problem.

“They put the health hazards on buying cigarettes – in my view there‘s a great big health hazard in buying online. Counterfeit drugs are far more sophisticated now - almost like a counterfeit handbag – but the big problem is you don’t know where they made it, the hygiene behind it and there could be anything in it.” Neal Patel, of the RPS, said: “Some of these illegal sites are very professional and look like legitimate online pharmacies, but supply dangerous fakes or unlicensed medicines that have serious health implications. Our advice is clear; always buy medicines in person or online from a genuine UK bricks and mortar based pharmacy.”