Nanny State on OTC Medicine

[Knuttell]

I find it reassuring when on my biannual visit to the chemists I get grilled by the pharmacist and get reminded about the dangers of Solpadene.

Solpadene is not crack cocaine,though to hear some posters you would think that over use would find them bedraggled,pan handling in alleyways looking for spare change in order to get the money together for a liver transplant.

Its a pain killer,99% of the population managed to use it without getting strung out on it,the other 1% in fairness probably have addictive personalities and if it wasn't solpadene then it could equally have been chocolate bars,drink, marijuana or lap dancers.Take your pick.

This constant knee jerk reaction by weak Ministers who cave into what ever lobby group bleats loudest has a lot do with the current situation Ireland now faces,all because a tiny percentage cannot manage, whether its their fault or not,to live life in moderation.

 

[Sunny]

I find it reassuring when on my biannual visit to the chemists I get grilled by the pharmacist and get reminded about the dangers of Solpadene.

Eh? Why do you need to be reminded? Do you like your local barman to remind you about the dangers of alcohol everytime you buy a pint?

 

[Ceist Beag]

Ciagrettes are addictive, yet imagine the furore if suddenly people were only allowed to buy 12 cigarettes per day! Alcohol is addictive yet you can fill a supermarket trolley with the stuff. So codeine is addictive, fine slap a big warning sticker on the box if you want but let people decide for themselves if they want to buy 12, 24 or stock up for 6 months.

 

[micmclo]

Cover thy ass

I suspect shops like the restrictions and want to keep them

Stops the ambulance chasing solicitors from taking the shop to court when someone does something stupid [or tragic] with the tablets and decides to sue
Hey, Ireland got a reputation for compo culture for a reason

 

[michaelm]

Who makes up these crazy laws?

It's just a cost-free way of fooling taxpayers that the State is concerned about addiction. All the while the State is using taxpayers money to ensure legions of people stay addicted to methadone and steadfastly doing nothing to address alcohol abuse.

 

[Purple]

It's just a cost-free way of fooling taxpayers that the State is concerned about addiction. All the while the State is using taxpayers money to ensure legions of people stay addicted to methadone and steadfastly doing nothing to address alcohol abuse.

That’s unfair.
Alcohol consumption levels have been dropping for years now. That didn’t happen by accident.
Methadone is prescribed as part of a GP controlled programme which involved stabilising the addict and then reducing their dosage over time. If the discussion is about whether or not the state is getting value for money on these programmes and/or if GP’s are being overpaid for their services then I would have far more critical views.

 

[truthseeker]

I find it reassuring when on my biannual visit to the chemists I get grilled by the pharmacist and get reminded about the dangers of Solpadene.

I agree with Sunny, why do you need reminding? Do you forget that these medicines carry dangers if not used properly, do you not see the information printed on the packaging?

And as for biannual, you are extremely lucky, and most likely male, if you only require a packet of painkillers twice in one year. Some of us are not so lucky. Some women may require a couple of days of painkillers once a month just to be able to function, and not miss work. Some of us have back pain, get tension headaches, or variety of other minor pains that could be taken care of easily with an otc painkiller, and are tired of being questioned at length, and told the same thing over and over again....

 

[michaelm]

That’s unfair.

Perhaps.

Emigration and the recession may be why overall alcohol consumption is down. I haven't seen any evidence that levels of alcohol abuse have diminished or that such is being taken seriously. Methadone is used to keep heroin addicts docile. How many methadone success stories have you heard.

 

[T McGibney]

Alcohol consumption levels have been dropping for years now. That didn’t happen by accident.

The government's efforts since 2006 have been to discourage and criminalise moderate drinking, that's why we now have a dying pub industry, random breath tests on the roads and a far lower alcohol limit for drivers than applies in the UK. Unsurprisingly this has led to a sharp fall in alcohol consumption but not much impact (if any) on alcoholism or alcohol abuse.

 

[Purple]

How many methadone success stories have you heard.

Quite a few actually.

 

[ajapale]

Codeine the silent addiction - Health News, Health - Independent.ie Dr Garett McGovern, Dublin-based addiction specialist

I recently started a patient on methadone who developed a perforated stomach ulcer from years of abuse of codeine-ibuprofen preparations.
She told me that she never knew that these drugs were addictive. She explained: "I spent years going from doctor to doctor trying to get help. They had no idea how to treat this addiction.
"I tried to detox myself off the tablets but became very sick with severe pains in the stomach, the shakes and vomiting. In the end I just had to go back on them.
"Since I started methadone treatment I have been off the tablets for six months. I've never felt better. It's given my family and me our lives back."

Strange to say methadone is a treatment for codeine abuse.


Im still reassued by the few well chosen words by the relevant professional ie the chemist.

 

[roker]

The government's efforts since 2006 have been to discourage and criminalise moderate drinking, that's why we now have a dying pub industry, random breath tests on the roads and a far lower alcohol limit for drivers than applies in the UK. Unsurprisingly this has led to a sharp fall in alcohol consumption but not much impact (if any) on alcoholism or alcohol abuse.

Binge drinking does not happen in rural areas, it is in the city when clubs come out.

 

[lou2]

The restriction on paracetamol was partly introduced in an attempt to reduce the incidence of deliberate self-harm using self-poisoning by paracetamol. While it is of course possible to move from one chemist to another to buy several packets of the medication, self-harm is often associated with impulsivity and so putting in regulations which decreases the potential for an impulsive reaction is (and has been) beneficial.

 

[Knuttell]

The restriction on paracetamol was partly introduced in an attempt to reduce the incidence of deliberate self-harm using self-poisoning by paracetamol.

A lot of self harm is inflicted with knives,what do you propose be done to stop this,or indeed how to you propose we prevent self harm by use of bleach,rat poison,skipping rope,single car accidents,water,razor blades,shotgun etc ad nauseum (literally)

Pretty poor reason to inflict the Spanish Inquisition on those who want nothing more than a reliable tablet that cures a head ache.

If they are that much of a danger to themselves then perhaps they need hospitalization?not some half baked regulatons that really in fairness is not going to stop someone visiting a few chemists if they are determined enough to commit suicide.

so putting in regulations which decreases the potential for an impulsive reaction is (and has been) beneficial.

How have you come to this conclusion,wheres your link that proves conclusively that the new regs have stopped self harm by Solpadene??

Its not remotely quantifiable.

This Country,honestly it would break your heart.

 

[lou2]

Hi Knuttel,

I was referring exclusively to paracetamol. I have numerous studies that can prove this. I was not referring to Solpadeine at all.

And again, the issue of self-harm by other methods is another discussion and not for this forum. I was simply giving a factual reply to a query referring to Paracetamol. If you would like me to send you on any of the studies which report on this in a national and international context I can do this.

 

[MrMan]

I don't need to be quizzed about why im buying tablets if I have a headache etc, but I also don't have a problem with it. I've never been refused because I simply answer the questions, receive the product and get on with my day. I think this is a non issue and people are being too sensitive.
Cigarettes and alcohol have long been sold as luxury items that we take for enjoyment, XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX are there to help with an ailment, so you need a reason to take them.

 

[truthseeker]

I don't need to be quizzed about why im buying tablets if I have a headache etc, but I also don't have a problem with it. I've never been refused because I simply answer the questions, receive the product and get on with my day. I think this is a non issue and people are being too sensitive.

I have been refused. I asked for Syndol for period pain and was told to take plain paracetamol, despite explaining that I had already tried that and I needed something stronger. They also offered me ibprofen which I cannot take as it upsets my stomach. I ended up fainting from pain in work and having to go home and lie down with a hot water bottle. Not fun.

 

[Chris]

Yesterday I tried to buy 2 x 12 packets of Panadol in Supervalue, I was told I could only have 1 packet of 12, to which I responded that the pharmacy directly opposite in the shopping centre sells 24 packets, I was told that this is the law. I purchased 1 packet, walked across the shopping centre about 10 meters and purchased a 24 packet in the pharmacy, so now I have 36 tablets.

I suffer from migraine headache and for years always keep Syndol or Solpadeine in my car or at my bedside, 2 tablets usually does the trick, they are much more effective because they contain Codeine, and there lies the problem.

Someone has decided that Codeine is addictive and I have great trouble obtaining them now. Boots will refuse outright to sell them, I cannot take Nurofen because they are hard on my stomach, so I cannot get something effective for my headache but they are promoting the morning after pill.

Who makes up these crazy laws? I get my Syndol in large quantities now from the UK when I am over there, they don’t have the same silly laws.

Because the odd person can get addicted to Codeine we all must suffer, a pity they do not have the same outlook on alcohol.

I agree, it is a ridiculous situation of a state overstepping boundaries of power. I suffer from periodic back pain due to a damaged disk in my lower back. Solpedeine and Neurofen Plus usually work well enough to alleviate the pain enough for me to do certain exercises. When this law was first introduced I was refused both of the above by three different pharmacists. This resulted in my back eventually going into spasm and a GP prescribing me Solpadol, Tramadol and Valium (all far more addictive that what I originally wanted). In fairness, since the last time this happened my local pharmacist doesn't ask me questions, as he knows why I take Neurofen Plus.

What I freely choose to put in my body is no business of the state. People do not need protecting from themselves, just because a small number may misuse a product.

As someone whos family member was addicted to this specific drug, I still stand by the new guidelines as I know how easy it can be to addicted without realising it until its too late.

So because a very small number of people developed addictions a much larger number requiring pain relief have to be quizzed every time and often refused?

Eh? Why do you need to be reminded? Do you like your local barman to remind you about the dangers of alcohol everytime you buy a pint?

You beat me too it.

 

[Marion]

I have never been quizzed by a pharmacist about my purchase of syndol, nurofen or paracetemol.

Just once I was advised not to take the syndol at the same time as the paracetemol. But they still sold both of them to me.

I wouldn't be particularly well known where I now live - I don't always go to the same pharmacy. I only buy these tablets infrequently.

Maybe I look honest.

Marion

 

[Purple]

Maybe I look honest.

Marion

no, that can't be it.