Dangerous Legal Loophole Must Be Closed, Society Warns

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Also Included In: Litigation / Medical Malpractice
Article Date: 08 Jun 2009 - 7:00 PDT

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The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) is demanding the closure of a legal loophole which allows non-pharmacy retailers to sell dangerously large amounts of paracetamol.

The RPSGB became concerned last week when it was informed a Poundland store in Kent was selling 48 tablets of the painkiller for just £1.00.

The RPSGB's Director of Policy, David Pruce said: "It is extremely worrying to know people may purchase this medicine without any consultation or guidance and inadvertently use it incorrectly. We know that limiting the amount of paracetamol sold at one time has reduced the number of deaths from paracetamol poisoning"

Over a decade ago, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) limited the paracetamol pack size in non-pharmacy retailers to 16 tablets - but allowed up to six packs to be sold at a time.

Most stores, including pharmacies, will only sell a maximum of two packs at a time.

David Pruce said: "I urge members of the public to see their local community pharmacist if they are in need of medicines. Pharmacists are well-placed to give people expert advice and care, and are conveniently located on the high streets of most towns. In addition, the public can be sure medicines bought from a registered pharmacy would have met strict quality control standards, and would have been manufactured to UK requirements."

Source
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain

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