OTC Medicines

[DavidS]

Omeprazole are usually enteric coated/gastroresistant granules/tablets, and gaviscon will disturb the release characteristics by altering the pH of the stomach contents, so they should not be mixed in the stomach.

Mmm. Think the chap below is a possible spammer. Let's watch for links being added.

[melly69]

i have a question for u all regarding OTC products
as a gsl u can only buy 16 paracetmol and 32 is p med as stated in MEP, so why can supermarkets sell 2 packets of 16 paracetamol at once without a pharmacist on the premises but in pharmacy we can only sell 1 packet of 16 if bought as gsl and 32 if pharmacist on premises?

[johnep]

Good question. When the law was drafted, they did not think about people buying multiple packs at the local pound store.
johnep

[melly69]

so would they be breaking the law then? or are they allowed to sell that many packets? i need to know where i can get advice from regarding this.

reason im askin is 1 of the big supermarkets sold a family member 2 packets of paracetamol and a bottle of vodka at same time, then served other packet of paracetamol as the till would only let 2 through at once and my family member was distressed and upset went home and took an overdose and i want to try and stop other people doin this, i spoke to manager and got told that they was not doin anything against the law and they cant stop people buying vodka and paracetamol together even if they are distressed and very upset

[rafhelp]

how hard would it be realistic for someone to buy as many paracetamol tablets as they wanted. If someone wanted to buy 1000 for some reason he could go round different chemists/shops and buy as many as they allowed. But still the chemist should adhere to the laws and regulations.

[johnep]

The Daily Wail would love your story. Probably give you lots of money. That should cheer up your relative. Seriously, very sorry to hear of this unfortunate episode and illustrates the problem of easy availability of medicines. When I was young we sold 1,000 Aspirin for 6/10d. We were warned not to sell to anyone who looked distressed.
johnep

[stawberry]

I like this thread！ Certainly will help my pre-reg.
Just have a query about the paracetamol. The legal limit that can be sold to a person in one time for paracetamol is 100 tabs/caps but normally pharmacists would only sell 32. However, I have seen cases like patients who pay for prescription are allowed to buy 100 paracetamol if they have prescription from doctor. If I am qualified I might do this as well along with some counseling. Do you agree with this?

[Part Timer]

I'd agree with selling them 3x32=96 for about £1.50 and all nice and legal, but not with selling them 100 with 'POM' on the pack and maybe getting to know the GPhC a bit better than I'd like at this stage
A no-brainer really, if it's got 'POM' on it then we don't sell it.

[stawberry]

sorry my mistake. we actually sold 3 boxes of 32, round it up to 100. :S

[Part Timer]

No problem with that then

Here's another one: if a patient brings in a chargeable scritp for 100 co-codamol 8/500, do we charge the £7.20 and dispense or sell 3x32 packs for about £4.50 and go against the guidance about not selling too many codeine-containing products?

(I know what I do BTW, just wondering what others do...)