Irish war of words over plans to curb paracetamol sales
A war of words has broken out between independent
retailers and pharmacists in the Irish Republic over plans to restrict
sales of paracetamol products.
From October, pack sizes in non-pharmacy outlets
will be limited to 12 tablets, half the amount pharmacies are to be allowed
to sell. The curbs are aimed at preventing accidental or intentional overdosing,
according to the Irish Department of Health, which feels pharmacists will
be less likely to sell excess amounts and are better able to advise customers
about the risks.
A recent retailers organisation survey of pharmacies
in Dublin found that only one of 44 pharmacies refused to sell more than
the proposed legal limit of 24 paracetamol tablets and only 16 per cent
of them volunteered any advice about possible dangers. In almost all the
pharmacies the products were sold by an assistant, not a pharmacist.
A spokeswoman for the organisation claimed that
the results showed that the proposed restrictions were and misguided.
She urged opposition to the new measures, arguing that they would reduce
competition and choice, increase prices and bolster the already protected
position of pharmacies.
But the Irish Pharmaceutical Union denounced the
survey as premature and seriously misleading, pointing out that the regulations
do not take effect until October. Pharmacists, it said, are particularly
conscious of the fact that these products are currently widely available
in any grocery outlet.
It offered an assurance that pharmacists fully support
the planned measures and will adhere to them.
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