Paracetamol

What does the law say?
The maximum pack size for pain relief medicines in a general sale outlet is 16 tablets or capsules. A pharmacy may sell larger packs containing up to 32 tablets or capsules under the supervision of a pharmacist. It is illegal to sell
more than 100 tablets or capsules of either paracetamol or aspirin in any one retail transaction.

If somebody needs paracetamol on a regular, long term basis, 100 tablets is 12 days supply. That still means the patient would have to go to a pharmacist just over twice a month and probably explain why the maximum dose is needed each time.

As others have said, a pharmacist can sell you more than the 2 packs that you can get in any shop.

The English prescription charge is a tax that pharmacies pay to the government. They are paid a fee for each item dispensed whether you pay or not. There is no correlation between the two.

Hetty58

My GP doesn't prescribe paracetamol or ibuprofen any more. We're expected to buy them, so maybe it's different in London?

Your GP knows the OTC purchase limit.

If you need Paracetamol on a regular, daily basis for your condition, you are NOT expected to traipse around every 4/5 days to buy them. Your GP will, if he thinks you need to take them on a 4-6 hourly basis every day put them on prescription. This is standard - or should be - in all surgeries.

If it's only for occasional use - then that's a different matter.

🤬

Callistemon21

Although I do sometimes wonder how efficient the NHS Procurement department is.
The NHS is often charged more for medicines than they cost in other countries, but you'd think, being such a huge purchaser, they could negotiate better prices.

Trump used to argue that the NHS gets drugs more cheaply than American consumers do. He wanted to force drug companies to increase the price to the NHS.

Callistemon21

Although I do sometimes wonder how efficient the NHS Procurement department is.
The NHS is often charged more for medicines than they cost in other countries, but you'd think, being such a huge purchaser, they could negotiate better prices.

The NHS isn't charged more. The cost comes from the process of prescribing and handling the drugs.

silverlining48

When I was taking paracetomol regularly I was once offered a much bigger box by the pharmacist in Sainsbury which didnt cost much more than the usual 16 pack.
I just pick a couple of packs up whenever I go shopping and keep for when needed. If my dh is with me we separate and buy 2 packs each. They are so cheap I dont think they shoukd be prescribed. It must cost the nhs a fortune,
.

What about people who live on their own who don't go shopping twice a week?

Incidentally, many other drugs are as cheap as paracetamol. Large quantities of paracetamol can be dangerous, which is why they're prescribed.

Although I do sometimes wonder how efficient the NHS Procurement department is.
The NHS is often charged more for medicines than they cost in other countries, but you'd think, being such a huge purchaser, they could negotiate better prices.

Because you're worth it 🙂

Callistemon21

Marydoll

I'm not allowed to drive at the moment, Callie, can two ladies fit into one?😂

I'll shove you into a shopping trolley, Marydoll, at least then I've got something to hang on to!!

Calli, there will be plenty of ballast in that shopping trolley.

One of my prescriptions cost approx £943 for 4 x weekly injections or £12,259 per annum, which is shocking!

My husband gets them on prescription as he has problems with his arm/shoulder following a stroke but even though we get 100 and he takes 6 a day they don't last the month. I have to buy extra,

When I was taking paracetomol regularly I was once offered a much bigger box by the pharmacist in Sainsbury which didnt cost much more than the usual 16 pack.
I just pick a couple of packs up whenever I go shopping and keep for when needed. If my dh is with me we separate and buy 2 packs each. They are so cheap I dont think they shoukd be prescribed. It must cost the nhs a fortune,
.

growstuff

crazyH

I don’t think my GP prescribes paracetamol. When I tripped over and hurt myself, she told me to buy them. They were only 16p for a pack of 16 (I think)

But on that occasion they hadn't been prescribed by a consultant and you weren't expected to take them long-term.

Well, obviously that was right CrazyH as that was something short-term which would get better on its own.

I must admit I don't like taking them - who does?

Naproxen works much better to alleviate long-term joint pain but they are no longer prescribed.

crazyH

I don’t think my GP prescribes paracetamol. When I tripped over and hurt myself, she told me to buy them. They were only 16p for a pack of 16 (I think)

But on that occasion they hadn't been prescribed by a consultant and you weren't expected to take them long-term.

LucyLocket55

How long can you take Paracetamol for? My 91 year old mother takes it for back pain as she cannot take any other pain killer and has been using it regularly for a long time? Is there any limit on how long you can use the maximum dose?

I've been prescribed the maximum dose of co-dydramol (paracetamol and codeine) for about five years. Sometimes I need them, but much of the time I don't need the full dose. I keep enough for a month and miss them off my repeat prescription order when I have enough - to avoid stockpiling. I have an annual medicine review and nobody has ever suggested stopping them. I also have annual liver and kidney tests. So far, there hasn't been any damage.

PS. I have nine items on my repeat prescription. I once looked up the cost to the NHS and most of them cost a lot less than the prescription charge, so maybe the government/NHS needs to look at a different way of charging for prescriptions.

I don’t think my GP prescribes paracetamol. When I tripped over and hurt myself, she told me to buy them. They were only 16p for a pack of 16 (I think)

In discussion elsewhere I’ve been told I’m a personal drain on resources, ‘people like you’ are causing NHS shortages, I shouldn’t be such a wimp and need maximum dose daily, ‘pain is all in your head
Goodness, cornergran, how rude and very upsetting! I hope it wasn't a medical professional who said that.

Marydoll

I'm not allowed to drive at the moment, Callie, can two ladies fit into one?😂

I'll shove you into a shopping trolley, Marydoll, at least then I've got something to hang on to!!

You shouldn't do it unless your doctor is informed and has notes to that effect.

It is of course perfectly normal to have liver and kidney function tested if you are on regular paracetamol, however you buy it. The fact you take it will be on your notes for your annual review.

If it’s a pavement scooter marydoll no licence needed. Or we can find one with a sidecar, like a motorbike has. . Think of the fun we could have racing.

When we moved here I was summoned to a GP to discuss my pain meds. She listened and then told me I must not buy paracetamol or any other pain med over the counter as if on repeat I would automatically have annual blood tests to check liver and kidney functioning. along with a whole raft of other things to ensure keeping pain under control wasn’t masking or causing other issues. It’s not just about obtaining the very necessary medication, its about safe use.

In discussion elsewhere I’ve been told I’m a personal drain on resources, ‘people like you’ are causing NHS shortages, I shouldn’t be such a wimp and need maximum dose daily, ‘pain is all in your head’. I now tell no one I meet that I have pain medication (slow release maximum dose ibuprofen and paracetamol) on prescription.

You are of course right about the loading of cost to the NHS casdon, it is abhorrent and it’s not just with paracetamol. The issue is something that needs tackling, I’m just not sure of the best way.

I'm not allowed to drive at the moment, Callie, can two ladies fit into one?😂

Marydoll

*Calli*, I would need a piggie back! Are you up to it? 🤣

We'll borrow some of those electric scooters, Marydoll!!

Wyllow3

A major reason its limited to max 32 over the counter because it's used to self harm/suicide widely. Obviously someone can go round several places, but that the reason only chemists just sell 32's and its 16 in supermarkets.

Probably best to leave large regular dosage in the hands of proper prescriptions/consultants letter.

It’s the additional cost of the prescription that is annoying Wyllow3. I wouldn’t in any way suggest that regular use shouldn’t be monitored, but the NHS paying so much more for it when prescribed is not right.