Warnings have been issued that a batch of contaminated heroin is circulating across Medway after the deaths of two users.

Notices have been distributed to chemists used by addicts alerting them to the danger.

Pharmacist Pam Karson has the poster prominently on display at her chemist in Rochester after two patients, both men in their 40s, died.

Mrs Karson, whose husband Ferride, runs the business in City Way, said: “We have to be realistic and professionally responsible. You are not going to stop people buying and taking drugs.

“But we do need to educate them and make sure they look out for symptoms and make them aware that there is dodgy stuff out there.”

A number of addicts regularly use Karsons to get their regular prescription of methadone, a detox medication and painkiller.

Heroin, a Class A drug, can be mixed with a number of potentially lethal substances, which can cause a flesh-eating disease if it gets into muscle.

Three years ago a mother from Rochester contracted the lethal disease anthrax after injecting contaminated heroin.

Claire Skelton, 42, who has a daughter, of Princes Street, was diagnosed with cellulitis and developed a deep vein thrombosis.

She then suffered a cardiac arrest and was rushed to King’s College Hospital, London but died.

Another chemist, John Shaw who runs the Focus Pharmacy in Borstal said the notices acted to deter those tempted buy cheap deals from strangers.

Mr Shaw said: “Anthrax is widely available across the country. There have been cases in Scotland and here in Rochester.

“Sometimes these poster campaigns act to scare people, but it is usually because there is a problem out there and misuse of drugs in Medway is well-known.”

The Medway Street Pastors, who carry out night safety patrols in Rochester High Street, were due to meet drugs experts about the problem.

Pete Tottman, pastors’ chairman, said: “We are looking to work together. It would be useful that warnings like this might be brought to our attention to the mutual benefit of our night-time clientele.”