The coronavirus outbreak has led pharmacy chains to limit the sale of hand sanitiser amid concerns products could be sold for inflated prices online, the Press Association reports.

A spokeswoman for Boots, the UK's largest chemist chain, said it had seen an increase in the sale of hand sanitisers, but it still had stock available in its warehouses for online sale and in stores.

She also confirmed that there is currently a limit of two hand sanitisers per customer to ensure as many people as possible have access to the products.

A source told the PA news agency that Boots is concerned some of its products could be re-sold online.

The company has seen protective products of the kind it sells, for example face masks, appear on websites such as Amazon at prices far greater than those retailed by Boots.

Sales of hand sanitiser in supermarkets more than tripled last month as worried customers flocked to protect themselves from coronavirus and it seems some have sought to profit from the situation.

On the Boots website, 250ml bottles of Carex hand wash can be bought for £1 each, while packs of six of the product are being advertised for in excess of £16 on Amazon.

A 100ml bottle of Cuticura hand gel is sold for £1.55 by Boots online, while on Amazon sellers are trying to fetch prices of £10 for a 50ml bottle.