Laws regarding sales of Paracetamol and Ibuprofen??

melancholly

MarkyMarkD wrote: »

It seems fairly unbelievable that someone intent on taking an overdose is put off by the restrictions.

well this is the key fact that keeps being missed - those intent will find a way, those who do it for a reason there and then now can't. it won't stop everyone, nothing will! but it can make a difference.

weegie.geek

For some, at least, attempting suicide isn't a planned thing. You don't go around all the shops buying pills with the intention of committing suicide next tuesday.

Something happens to push you over the edge, and it's a spur of the moment thing.

If you're going to put so much thought into it, you're probably going to research and find a much better, more reliable way to top yourself.

Most of the people who're in the at-risk category probably have stacks of pills around anyway...

Lifesaver

I have to keep going round and round through the tills with 2 boxes each time as I need to keep a reasonable amount in stock inside a cabinet in the medical room where I work.
It costs 32p for 32 - 2 boxes.

I go in uniform, with my ID around my neck, but cant buy any more at one time!

I could get a private prescription, but that way it costs £17.50 for a box of 100 tablets!

Ridiculous price.

MarkyMarkD

You can buy more than 32 over a pharmacy counter, particularly if you have a good reason for needing the large quantity. I'd suggest doing this rather than buying 32 in numerous transactions.

But your example is part of the proof of why the law is stupid.

melancholly

MarkyMarkD wrote: »

But your example is part of the proof of why the law is stupid.

in your opinion, but thankfully this is not shared by everyone!

MarkyMarkD

I can only express my own opinion.

There are many ways for people to attempt suicide. Overdoses of over-the-counter drugs represent only a small proportion of the possible methods.

We could stop anyone buying knives or razorblades; we could lock up everyone who has suicidal tendencies and make it impossible for them to self-harm.

These wouldn't be reasonable measures as the impact on personal liberty would be excessive for the benefit gained.

I'd argue that the restriction on sales of paracetamol and ibuprofen also went too far - I'm happy for you to hold an alternate view.

The surveys which suggest that the law has "worked" in that overdoses of OTC drugs have fallen may be missing the full picture. Is it really true that total successful suicides have fallen as a result of the law change, or has it just forced potential suicides to use alternative means?

I'll tell you the answer. The fall in suicide frequency doesn't appear genuinely linked to the date of the law change in the slightest. Look at the graph (figure 7) on page 10 (page 13 of the PDF) in this link: http://cebmh.warne.ox.ac.uk/csr/images/annualreport2006.pdf which shows that whilst suicide rates have been falling over the past 40 years in the UK, there wasn't a massive change in 1988/89 compared to the previous trend.

Indeed, there seemed to be a peak in 1988 as people seem to have gone out and bought lots of tablets whilst they could, and used them.

Lifesaver

MarkyMarkD wrote: »

You can buy more than 32 over a pharmacy counter, particularly if you have a good reason for needing the large quantity. I'd suggest doing this rather than buying 32 in numerous transactions.

But your example is part of the proof of why the law is stupid.

Thanks for that. I'll ask the Pharmacist when I call in for the next order - it was she that told me how much they cost on Private Prescription, but didnt suggest I buy them off her instead!

MarkyMarkD

Paracetamol containing products: Due to strict regulations we can only supply upto a maximum of 100 paracetamol containing tablets or capsules at a time (this includes co-codamol tablets or capsules) at the discretion of the pharmacist in charge. If required you may order reasonably larger quantities of effervesent tablets instead which are less restricted or other alternative painkillers.

From a pharmacy's website.

Torry_Quine

If you need to get large amounts of paracetamol you can get 100 soluble from any pharmacy.

Stopping the sale of large amounts of tablets has had a beneficial effect as regards overdoses.

melancholly

MarkyMarkD wrote: »

I'll tell you the answer. The fall in suicide frequency doesn't appear genuinely linked to the date of the law change in the slightest. Look at the graph (figure 7) on page 10 (page 13 of the PDF) in this link: http://cebmh.warne.ox.ac.uk/csr/images/annualreport2006.pdf which shows that whilst suicide rates have been falling over the past 40 years in the UK, there wasn't a massive change in 1988/89 compared to the previous trend.

one study based on a single hospital! obviously important data, but not about the whole UK. as i've said before, i defer to those actively researching the area, rather than 'what i think is probably plausible' about the mindset of those having suicidal thoughts.