Viagra was the most common drug found by the officers

The report claims that many websites are breaking the law when it comes to selling over the internet.

The easy availability of drugs is said to pose a real health threat.

The investigation was led by Dundee Trading Standards officers who set up a false identity with a credit card account and trawled the internet.

They said that slimming pills, anti-depressants and drugs claiming to prevent hair loss were easily available.

Protect consumers

However, websites selling Viagra were the most common.

The trading standards officers bought a number of batches from various companies.

They said that in most cases the websites did not comply with rules designed to protect consumers.

The officers also alleged a number of breaches in drugs legislation.

We share the concerns that there are prescription medicines being made available without the proper and full consultation with the appropriate health care professional Jim Eadie ABPI

Ken Daly, of Dundee Trading Standards, said most of the companies it approached to buy Viagra asked people to fill in a questionnaire, while some referred customers to a doctor.

"Essentially you can get this stuff quite easily, it is quite readily available," he said.

Drug manufacturers say that they have very little control over where and how their products are sold.

Responsibility for regulating websites rests with the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority.

Jim Eadie, the director of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, said: "We share the concerns that there are prescription medicines being made available without the proper and full consultation with the appropriate health care professional."