The mother of a talented student who killed himself after buying a cocktail of powerful drugs online fears thousands are continuing to risk their lives in the same way more than four years later.

Sue Brackell, of Wanstead in east London, has called for urgent action to be taken after a recent hard-hitting report on the issue showed thousands of websites are continuing to sell potentially dangerous medicines, many of which are fake, without prescription.

Mrs Brackell, of Cowley Road, whose son, Liam, 24, committed suicide in July 2003 after buying a range of anti-psychotic drugs from internet sites, says the report shows not enough has been done to regulate the use of online pharmacies.

She said: "Liam was buying medicines from these sites to help him deal with the psychological effects of using recreational drugs, such as ecstasy and cannabis, while he was at Durham university.

"He was prescribed anti-psychotic drugs by a doctor, but when these didn't help much he started buying other medicines from the internet without prescription."

"Liam had no idea what effect each of these drugs would have on him and this is the same for anyone who orders powerful drugs online, without prescription, or the advice of a doctor."

The study, by internet watchdog, MarkMonitor, found that only four out of the 3,160 sites it examined had official accreditation, and that many of the drugs on offer were fake, out of date, stolen, diluted or a different medicine altogether.

Wanstead MP, Harry Cohen, who joined the Brackells and the Guardian in campaigning for a new law restricting the sale of drugs online in August 2003, says he plans to press the Government for action on the issue.

He said: "This report is very worrying because it shows the problem has become even more serious and widespread than when we first called for change four years ago.

"I will be writing to the relevant minister to call for something to be done, because if things go on like this it's only a matter of time before another family suffers a similar tragedy to the Brackell's."

  • For more information visit www.markmonitor.com