A report has claimed that the counterfeit medicines market in Ireland could be worth more than €86m a year.
The 'Cracking Counterfeit Europe' report, commissioned by drug company Pfizer, says one in five people has admitted to buying prescription drugs from an unregulated source such as the Internet.
Ireland ranks sixth worst in Europe for counterfeit medicines activity, according to the survey of 1,000 people.
Other ways people secure medicines without a prescription are on holidays, through a friend, or in a nightclub. The main reasons for buying online are to save money and time.
Pfizer claims that up to 90% of medicines bought online are fake or may contain too little or none of the active ingredient.
The company says that some have been found to contain rat poison, boric acid and lead paint.
Commenting on the results, Irish Patients Association Chief Executive Stephen McMahon said: 'We need to do more as the fuse on this major public health time bomb ignites.
'Many people don't realise the very real dangers of buying medicines online and that one click of the mouse could kill.'
Pfizer's Medical Director Dr John Farrell said: 'People are not only unaware of the very real dangers of counterfeit medicines, but also that they're fuelling an illegal and harmful criminal market.'
