To wonder why calpol is so expensive?

[busyboysmum]

Triggered really by the debate on my Facebook about whether or not we should be getting calpol through the NHS or not. I got to wondering - if I can buy a packet of paracetamol in Aldi for 19p then why does Calpol which so far as I am aware is just watered down and sugared paracetamol (correct me if I'm wrong) cost £3 a small bottle?

I'm not sure that the figures stack up for me. Instead of us all criticising poor parents for getting a prescription for this shouldn't we be headlining a campaign to get the price of this stuff more in line with what it costs to produce.

£1 a bottle would be so much more fair so far as I can see. What does everyone else think? Why is it so much more expensive than paracetamol?

[noblegiraffe]

Because it's branded. You can buy unbranded calpol equivalent for much cheaper.

[Methe]

You can buy childrens paracetamol suspension in 250 ml bottles from Tesco pharmacy for a couple of quid.

Exactly the same stuff.

[wigglesrock]

You can get children's paracetamol in Poundland for yes you've guessed it £1 . Calpol is a brand name, supermarkets own brand is much cheaper.

[DamsonInDistress]

Because Calpol is a branded product. Just buy generic children's suspension from Boots, it's half the price. Same with Nurofen, switch to generic ibuprofen suspension.

[sharonthewaspandthewineywall]

Because it's delicious!!

[ginagslovechild]

As above, you can buy unbranded paracetamol suspension in poundland too!
But I get the large bottle from my pharmacy for £2.50, works out cheaper than the poundshop.

[Passmethecrisps]

Can you get it through the minor ailments scheme? You don't always get actual calpol but you do get liquid paracetamol for children for free

[treaclesoda]

You could get it for £1 a bottle though, it would just have a different label, maybe taste a bit different or whatever.

Just like you can pay £3 for Nurofen or you can buy ibuprofen tablets for 50p, or Anadin tablets for £3 but paracetamol for 20p.

[Jessica2point0]

Also, I imagine it's more expensive than paracetamol because it's far easier to guarantee the dosage of a tablet than of a suspension. Therefore £1 in poundland rather than 19p in aldi.

[AdoraBell]

Yep, it's a brand. Therefore they charge more for it.

[milkysmum]

I wouldn't ever buy the calpol brand as like you say it is ridiculously expensive! Aldi, pound land etc... All do it for around a pound! Same as I wouldn't pay £2.50 for a packet of nurofen when it's just ibuprofen that you can buy for pennies.

[SeekingTheSun15]

Buy it generic. Or better still, register at boots for the children's medicine thingy. If you're registered then Calpol/ibuprofen (but generic) and piriton I think, are FREE. It matters not a jot what income you have. The cost is absorbed by boots I believe not the NHS.

[AtomicDog]

Quick, we'd better start a campaign to get Mercedes to sell their M-Classes at a better price, more like what they cost to produce.

Calpol is made by a private company, they will charge what they want, and what they think they can get for their product, just like all other manufacturers.
It's called capitalism.

The nhs should buy (and probably does, I wouldn't know) generic paracetamol for children. Perhaps even better, the nhs should become a drug company, as it seems a massive part of their spending goes on drugs.

[madamginger]

Can I just add that that bloody FB post about free Calpol for kids from the chemist is bullshit. We offer this service at my pharmacy and you get given cheap generic paracetamol NOT Calpol.
I had an argument with a woman at the weekend who demanded Calpol and kicked off when I said no she could only have generic stuff.

[DragonWithAGirlTattoo]

and you're not just paying for the liquid, you're paying for research, marketing, etc

[madreloco]

Because you live in a capitalist society.

And it isn't so expensive. People in the Uk have no idea how lucky they are, most things you buy are unbelievably cheap compared to everywhere else!

[Methe]

I bet she could have paid for it if she had wanted to as well...

[busyboysmum]

OK fine, it's all kicking off on my facebook though about that Boots scheme - apparently the NHS absorb the cost not Boots?

[Passmethecrisps]

One of tbe chemists we signed up for have calpol. When we changed chemist it became generic stuff which I wouldn't mind but dd had a horrible reaction to cheap ibuprofen so I am a bit wary

[PtolemysNeedle]

The company that make calpol are trading on their brand and profiting from it as they are allowed to do. No one has to pay a lot for medicine that does the same thing, which is why I don't see why it's free.

There are plenty of medicines more important than calpol that pharmaceutical companies profit from and people don't have access to them because of the cost no matter how much they need them, but unfortunately these companies aren't there to do us favours.

[Teacuptravells]

How do we find out which pharmacies are offering it? The online link on the nhs site seems to go around in circles or list all ofthem?

Is it certain areas?

[madamginger]

SEEKING the cost is not absorbed by boots. the NHS very much pays for it.
My local PCT pays us £1.40 plus the cost of the drug for every drug given on minor ailments

[MrsGentlyBenevolent]

Sharon, it is isn't it? Confession time, I once (as a child, who knew better), drank half a bottle of calpol, then blamed my sister. She ended up bring dragged to the out of hours doctors in a panic. Whoopsie. Anyway, we only had the cheap stuff after that, almost not worth getting away with it .

[AnnaBegins]

Go to Aldi in 10 days time for the baby event, it'll be £1.99. Generic stuff also available elsewhere but I know some kids only like the taste of calpol.

[busyboysmum]

Fabulous tips here, didn't know Aldi did it. I will stock up. Thanks