A leading pharmaceutical firm has expressed concern that an increasing number of men are by-passing pharmacists to purchase counterfeit medicines.

Research conducted by Pfizer has indicated that one in ten UK males admit to buying products without a prescription, with around half having done so through the internet.

This is especially concerning, the firm claims, given that approximately 90 per cent of drugs advertised on the internet are believed to be fake.

Pfizer medical director Dr David Gillen describes the trend of males bypassing the health system to purchase medicines as "a growing problem".

He added: "These new findings show that men are not only often ignorant about what medicine actually requires a prescription but worryingly they know buying medicine from illicit sources might be harmful but convenience and anonymity often outweigh their fear levels."

Earlier this month, health secretary Alan Johnson announced that patients will soon be able to top up medical care by paying for drugs not available for general use on the NHS.