DESPITE BEING mainly pitched by spammers, it seems that a quarter of online shoppers have either bought or would buy prescription drugs online.

This is according to a survey of over 1,200 people by Webcredible, which pitches itself as a user experience consultancy.

Apparently, surfers are more likely to look for drugs online than things like DIY goods, cars, diamond rings or pets. The survey didn't reveal what drugs surfers buy, but the little blue stiffener has to be a favourite.

"That fact that more consumers seem to be prepared to buy prescription drugs online than simple DIY items like wallpaper and garden sheds is a worrying finding and pharmaceutical organisations must use the internet to advise consumers on the dangers of this," Webcredible's director, Trenton Moss postulated.

Although not illegal under certain conditions, the surveyors were a little concerned by the finding. Not only does this allow people to get hold of these drugs in unregulated amounts, but the probability of getting Smarties instead of the real deal is also pretty high.

Books, clothes and groceries topped the list of things respondents said they have or would buy online. µ