Ending online anonymity the only way to tackle drug sales, says doctor after man's death

A consultant in emergency medicine has said he expects many more deaths as a result of drugs bought online.

Gardaí are investigating after it was confirmed yesterday that a man in his 20s died after taking a slimming product bought on the internet.

The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) said the product he purchased contained dinitrophenol (DNP), which can speed up the body's metabolism.

Both the gardaí and the HPRA have begun investigations into the supply of the DNP product and events surrounding the death of the man. The HPRA said it had only recently been alerted by a doctor about the man’s death, the

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Dr Chris Luke, who is a consultant in emergency medicine in Cork University Hospital and the Mercy Hospital, said one of the difficulties with policing the sale of drugs online was the anonymity of sellers.

"I suspect what will happen is there will be lots and lots of deaths (due to drugs purchased online)," he said.

"I wonder whether because of terrorism and online drugs sales, whether we'll see the elimination of anonymity online. I suspect that's one of the few things that will work."