Dr Helen Webberley, Oxford Online Pharmacy's dedicated GP will today be speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's 5 Live Drive about the dangers of ordering counterfeit pills online.

Talking after the tragic case of 21-year old student, Eloise Parry, who tragically lost her life after taking counterfeit diet pills bought online, Dr Helen will be explaining the dangers of DNP (dinitrophenol), the highly toxic active ingredient of such medication.

Dr Helen will also be explaining how important it is to know and check the credentials of the company you are ordering from.

Dr Webberley is very saddened by this tragic loss. She says: 'These dangerous diet pills have been withdrawn in the UK due to serious concerns about their safety. The only drug licensed for use in weight loss in the UK is Orlistat, and this should only be used together with healthy eating and exercise. People are turning more and more to the Internet to get medical advice and prescriptions, and people must be sure that the treatment that they are receiving is given by properly qualified and regulated doctors and pharmacists.

"If you are buying prescription-only medication without a prescription, then it is illegal and potentially very unsafe. Remote healthcare can be very useful and very safe when accessed properly, but people need to be doubly careful that the healthcare professionals they have access to are properly qualified and licensed to provide this service. Don't be afraid to pick up the phone and ask to speak to the pharmacist or doctor that is treating you. Ask to see their GMC and GPhC registration and check that they are safe and legal. Online doctor services are a great adjunct to the overburdened NHS, but there are also a lot of rogue traders selling counterfeit or illegal medication.

"We need more education in this area to help patients access healthcare on the Internet safely."