Misleading packaging

All packets containing medicines have to state what the active ingredients are, don't they? And the dosage of each tablet or spoonful. So if one reads what the active ingredients are, one won't be 'taken in'. I feel it's just the same as reading what the ingredients are in fancy food packaging.

If doctors give in to patients demanding non-generic medicines, more fool the doctors for not explaining things properly. My several GPs in several places have always prescribed me generic medicines.

Mind you, when DD1 was small and the doc suggested I give her Calpol, I asked him to write it down cos I'd never heard of it. I think he thought I was trying it on because he wrote me a prescription for her. Why didn't he just tell me it is infant paracetamol syrup? Silly man.

Of course- for me though, paracetamol, in low dosage, is a lot less dangerous long-term than diclofenac or other anti-inflammatories.

In all the schools are taught at, the risk of paracetamol overdose being irreversible were well taught to all.

Just wanted to remind people how few paracetamol are needed to cause irreversible liver damage and death. Do NOT exceed the recommended dosage. I found this out the hard way when a family member overdosed - 24 hrs in intensive care but fortunately survived. I don't really like having them in the house. I'm sure you are all sensible but it's a leading cause of self harm in younger people who may not realise that their "cry for help" may be fatal even if they are found and treated.

Mr P recently had a cold so bad he actually asked me to get him some tablets

Lemsip Cold & Flu Max capsules £4 a pack

Morrisons own brand, with exactly the same ingredients, in exactly the same proportions, £1.60.

Thank goodness Ana

When I said 'occasionally' I meant once every couple of years or so rose!

Yes, 32 is the limit, but as you say you could buy 100s if you visited several outlets.

Yes we always ask to speak to the pharmacist, explain we live abroad and need to buy more than the 32- and he agrees. We will go several times over our stay, and get ipobrufen as well- although I only use those when things are really bad. If I run out, I go and buy in France- still much more than UK, but a lot less than here!

although I will admit to wasting money on Beechams Powders occasionally - just because I love the taste!
OMG Ana are you addicted?

They will only sell you a limited number of paracetamol in this country - is it 32? (although of course you could go to the next shop and buy more). However, in some countries you can buy enough to kill a horse all in one go.

I never ever buy branded meds. Doc prescribed me ibuprofen 400mg and I said I'd buy them. Buy 200mg and take two. Doc said no, if he prescribed he'd have a record he'd know how much I used.
This meant pharmacist got paid to dispense...much more than I'd pay in supermarket which would have been no cost to NHS.

If you buy generic Paracetamol from the pharmacist granjura (not off the shelves but from the counter) you can get a big box of tablets, even cheaper.
Same goes for generic Ibuprofen rather than Neurofen etc. comes in 100mg and 200mg strengths and Asprin.

Nellie, you wouldn't believe the % of patients who refuse to be prescribed any generic medication, as they believe they are not so good! costing the NHS billions which could be used elsewhere.

The simplest paracetamol in packs of 32 will be on our llist when the visit the UK, as the price is about 10 times less than here in Switzerland. The local chemists' agrees to sell us more as he knows we live abroad and I try to keep off anti-anflammatories despite being pain with my knee.

Ahhh Beechams powders- I used to get them free when I worked there in 1970- happy days.

I agree, Nellie. Even though the information has been out there for years now, some people still insist on branded products, presumably because they don't believe that a packet of tablets costing 32p can possibly be as effective as a packet of Anadin at around £2.00.

I haven't bought branded painkillers for years either, although I will admit to wasting money on Beechams Powders occasionally - just because I love the taste!

This is really not a new observation.
In my experience the NHS has used the generic medication for years where it is available. I am very surprised that others have not twigged this long ago.

Have we all become a nation of brand addicts? If you are taking any medication it is worth looking at the actual ingredients not the brand name.

This has been going on for years A whole lot of non branded over the counter drugs (OTCs) are now available. There are generic versions of all OTC pain killers. I always buy the generic version by the name of the drug and not the brand. The cost of these Big Brands are just dreadful.

This is not rocket science the slogan "Nothing acts faster than Anadin" only claims it is no faster at relieving pain than any other similar product. It is only misleading by inference.

I buy generic paracetamol caplets for 50p for 32 the maximum number allowed in one purchase.
Generic Paracetamol 500mg Caplets x 16 for £0.25
Anadin 500mg paracetamol at £1.20 for 16 caplets. Five times the price
A B*** rip off.

*Branded. Solpadeine Max, (Paracetamol 500mg and Codeine Phosphate 8mg.) - 30 Tablets £6.30.

*Generic. Co-codamol (Paracetamol 500mg and Codeine Phosphate 8mg.) 32 Tablets only £1.29.

Solpadeine is not a drug it's a brand. I have not bought branded pain killers for years unless there has been no alternative.

The NHS is really ripped off over medicines.
Even branded very expensive medications are sold cheaper to other countries by the pharmaceutical companies.

Yes, apparently the 16p packets of headache tablets are just as effective as the branded ones costing about £2.

If laws are brought in which will affect the profits of companies, you can bet they will find a way round them - but I am shocked at the car emissions scandal.

Countries have long been ripped off as regards medicine, and many other examples.

Not heard about car emissions.