Home > Paracetamol availability in pharmacy and non-pharmacy outlets in Dublin, Ireland.

Ni Mhaolain, AM and Davoren, M and Kelly, Brendan D and Breen, E and Casey, P (2009) Paracetamol availability in pharmacy and non-pharmacy outlets in Dublin, Ireland. Irish Journal of Medical Science, 178, (1), pp. 79-82. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-008-0270-8.

External website: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11845...

Introduction In 2004, there were 11,092 presentations to Irish hospitals with deliberate self-harm, including 7,933 cases of drug overdose, of which 31% involved paracetamol. Limiting the availability of paracetamol reduces morbidity and mortality associated with paracetamol overdose.

Aim The present study aimed to determine the level of compliance with statutory regulations governing the sale of paracetamol in Ireland.

Methods Researchers visited pharmacy (n = 20) and non-pharmacy outlets (newsagents, mini-markets and supermarkets) (n = 50) in Dublin city and attempted to purchase amounts of paracetamol that exceeded the statutory limits for a single transaction.

Results Amounts of paracetamol in excess of statutory limits for a single transaction were purchased in 50.0% of pharmacies, 81.8% of newsagents/mini-markets and 20.0% of supermarkets. One year later, we again visited pharmacy (n = 20) and non-pharmacy outlets (n = 50) in Dublin city and purchased amounts of paracetamol in excess of statutory limits in 50.0% of pharmacies, 52.3% of newsagents/mini-markets and 10.0% of supermarkets.

Conclusion We recommend that (a) notwithstanding the improvement in compliance rates in newsagents/mini-markets, the sale of paracetamol in these outlets should be discontinued; (b) the sale of paracetamol in supermarkets should continue, although automated checkout tills should be appropriately re-programmed; and (c) there should be greater efforts to ensure compliance with statutory regulations in pharmacies


Item Type
Article
Publication Type
Irish-related, Open Access, Article
Drug Type
Prescription/Over the counter
Date
March 2009
Identification #
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-008-0270-8
Page Range
pp. 79-82
Publisher
Springer
Volume
178
Number
1
EndNote
Accession Number
HRB (Not in collection)
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