How ridiculous

That's great for those that can afford over the counter meds, paracetamol are very cheap in tablet form 😉 but I fear for those living on a knife edge - referred to as JAM's especially if they've little ones and need several meds for several children. Hopefully there will be exceptions if needed.

I collected my repeat from our neighbourhood chemist and noticed a big sign saying not all benefits attract free prescriptions. It listed those that do and made it clear there could be a £100 'fine' if you wrongly claim free prescriptions.

Maybe with technology it will be less easy to 'play the system?

I think one of the reasons why analgesics, such as paracetamol and Ibuprofen, aren’t given on prescription is that the cost is greater than buying it over the counter.  If you have surgery in hospital you’ll be told to buy your post operative analgesia in advance from your local supermarket or pharmacy.  If you explain to the pharmacist why you need it, they’ll usually let you have in excess of the normal amount with a bigger pack size.  Paracetamol pack sizes are restricted because of the toxic effect on the liver.  In the past people have overdosed on Paracetamol, either deliberately, or accidentally, and have developed serious liver disease as a result.

In the last couple of years I have, at times, had to take both Paracetamol and Ibuprofen on a daily basis, with the agreement of my doctor I should add. Now I could have asked for a prescription but that doesn't sit very comfortably with me as the tablets to buy are as cheap as chips. In order to get sufficient I have often had to go to separate places to buy the maximum amount of both. With a bit of planning that is not to difficult or massively inconvenient. I do wonder if there should be a half way house if the NHS is not going to allow prescriptions couldn't doctors issue you will an authorisation note to buy bigger quantities if you are a regular user?  

David

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When I tried to buy 4 packs and the cashier at the counter refused to allow me more than 2 I gave the lady behind me in the queue the money and asked her to purchase the other two packs for me. The cashier was rather perplexed at my action, but there was little that she could do about it.

I spoke with the pharmacist and briefly discussed my usage whereupon he was happy to supply a greater quantity of the 400mg tablets that I use only occasionally. 

I was really commenting on the way the NHS no longer prescribe such as paracetamol and whether a chit could be issued by the doctor. If you can buy more by discussing with the pharmacist all well and good but I tend to buy mine at supermarkets as they are usually much cheaper. 

David

You can still buy the cheap generic Paracetamol, and other such medications.  You just ask for them at the pharmacy counter.  In our local Sainsbury’s, for example, the pharmacy is run by Lloyd’s.  In some cases the medication is even cheaper than getting it from the supermarket shelf.  I’m a fairly frequent user of loperamide (for reasons we won’t go into here).  I usually buy packs of 6 capsules  for £3+ from the supermarket shelf.  Recently there hasn’t been any in stock for several weeks, so I asked at the pharmacy counter and got the same medication and pack size (different generic brand) for half the price-£1.45, I think it was.  I also discovered Boots do their own brand of dispersible loperamide for half the price of Imodium Instants (essential if you need then when out and about).  Always worth asking, and definitely not worth paying for brand names.

Our local supermarket only stock 200mg tablets but I require 400mg tablets.

General tablet size is different abroad. In Spain, paracetamol is in 500mg tablets.