Sales Of Painkillers - Help For Retailers

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) launched new guidance on the best practice for the sale of pain relief medication.

The guidance outlines that no more than two packs should be sold in one transaction and discourages retailers from promoting offers that encourage the sale of more than one pack at a time.

These guidelines are the result of the MHRA working with stakeholders who represent both large and small retailers, pharmacists, trading standards offices and the pharmaceutical industry, as well as the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS).

The maximum pack size for pain relief medicines in a general sale outlet is 16 tablets or capsules. A pharmacy may sell larger packs containing up to 32 tablets or capsules under the supervision of a pharmacist.

Medicines legislation states that it is illegal to sell more than 100 tablets or capsules of either paracetamol or aspirin in any one retail transaction.

MHRA Director of Vigilance and Risk Management of Medicines, Dr June Raine, said that restricting the availability of these medicines had proved to be effective in reducing the harm from accidental or intentional overdose, estimated from number of deaths and hospital admissions.

"By clearly stating 'best practice' for sale of these medications, it will ensure that retailers are meeting a customer's immediate need for pain relief while helping to minimise stockpiling and the risk of overdose."

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said, "Retailers welcome guidance from the experts and this best practice will be widely publicised and will reinforce the generally accepted practice in local shops."

Graham Wynn, BRC Assistant Director for Consumer, Competition and Regulatory Affairs said, "The BRC is happy to support guidance that helps retailers who sell painkillers to do so in the best possible way."

Source
MHRA