A third of patients fail to take their prescriptions to a pharmacy following a GP visit, a survey by internet chemist Pharmacy2U has found.

The survey of 2,000 people found that 15 per cent of patients "couldn't be bothered" to collect their prescriptions, while 22 per cent said they didn't want to pay for their medication. Others said they "didn't have time" or worked to get better by themselves. And as many as 60 per cent said they had seen their prescribed medication being sold cheaper over the counter.

A third of patients who took regular medication said they had forgotten to pick up repeat prescriptions and run out.

The results were "disappointing" given the pressures on the NHS, said Julian Harrison, commercial director at Pharmacy2U. "It is disappointing to discover that patients who have taken the time and trouble to visit their GP do not complete the episode of healthcare by having their prescription filled," he said.

"Particularly worrying are the numbers of patients on repeat prescriptions who regularly forget to pick up medication and run out," Mr Harrison stressed. "Among them are people suffering from serious, long-term complaints such as diabetes, asthma and COPD, where compliance is crucial."