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AIBU?

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Original poster

'Period Fairy' supplying painkillers at work

165 replies

NorthernFlowerHouse · 10/10/2018 17:19

Hi all,

Not really an AIBU but I wasn't really sure where to post and I know this is the busiest!

In my work ladies' loo, some period supplies have been left out with a note from 'The Period Fairy' saying to help yourself if needed. I think it's part of a campaign against period poverty which is a great cause and includes boxes of paracetamol.

I'm just a bit concerned whether there might be any legality issues with supplying over the counter painkillers like this- I know that work first aid kits shouldn't contain them in case of allergies but didn't know if this extended to help- yourself supplies.

Does anyone have any ideas?

I just know how kind the lady is who has started this and would hate for her to open herself up to any trouble over a really nice initiative. It's an office environment with no children if that makes a difference. I can't find much online about it and she's off this week.

Thanks!

OP posts:
Ali1cedowntherabbithole · 11/10/2018 17:00

Off topic, but I was at a shit Wedding a few months back where all kinds of toiletries were provided in the toilets along with tampons, plasters and painkillers. Naturally accompanied by a twee help yourselves poem.

I'm sure the couple had the best intentions, but this was a 2pm wedding where guests weren't fed until 6pm. Frankly I'd far rather have been fed some extra food than have had the opportunity to use some fancy hand cream.

Some people discreetly leave sanitary supplies and some people like to virtue signal. The latter isn't wrong per se but I would ask if there is really a need for a period fairy?

lubeybooby · 11/10/2018 17:30

paracetamol is not an OTC med it can be bought anywhere without health questions first.

OTC meds are the ones behind the counter you have to ask for and answer questions/receive advice first (eg is this for you, have you taken it before, are you on any other medication etc) but that are not prescription only

reallyanotherone · 11/10/2018 17:45

OTC meds are the ones behind the counter you have to ask for and answer questions/receive advice first (eg is this for you, have you taken it before, are you on any other medication etc) but that are not prescription only

My understanding is an OTC med is anything non-prescription.

“P” is for anything that has to be discussed with a pharmacist.

“POM” is prescription only medicine.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/medicines-information/

If the rules have changed can you provide a link please? I’ve been out of the pharmacy game for a couple of years.

Pinklady1982 · 11/10/2018 18:06

Our work place does this (sanitary products and some nice hand cream) it’s such a great idea as it’s so easy to get caught out, especially if you are irregular. We have lots of nice perks to be fair, fresh fruit 3 times a week, a double kitchen with tv, vending machine etc. That’s quite dangerous though! ;) I agree I think it’s a bit dangerous to provide packets of paracetamol though, although all good intentions are behind the idea. I am also known a bit for being the office pharmacy, I always have co-codamol, antihistamines, naproxen, but I don’t like giving them out as I know they are prescription only.

SleepyMcEdie · 11/10/2018 18:11

We have a medicine locker in our office that is stocked with OTC medicines that the teachers help themselves to when needed. Most schools I’ve worked in have one! Teenagers give you headaches!

pollymere · 11/10/2018 18:16

I'd be a little alarmed by boxes of paracetamol as its quite toxic and there is a restriction on how many you can buy at one time. The Period Fairy could actually be supplying the means for someone to commit suicide if something went badly at work. I wouldn't leave more than four tablets out at any one time.

AlpacaLypse · 11/10/2018 18:36

I'm so hoping that placemats was being ironic up thread...

Having a basket of useful things is a good plan, we had it in the staff/adults loo at primary school. But not any medicines, prescription or non prescription. You don't need to take tablets in the loo, asking around if anyone's got a couple of painkillers in their bag is easy enough to do, whereas if you need sanitary protection unexpectedly you usually need it RIGHT NOW, and you need a private space to put it in place too.

Shopkinsdoll · 11/10/2018 18:41

oh dear god! Someone is doing something good, to help others. It’s a 20p box of paracetamol for goodness sake. Why sh*t stir?

Graphista · 11/10/2018 18:54

Grobags, there actually have been cases where employers have been taken to court regarding supply of alcohol.

I disagree with the rest you said too and my points were based on having the experience and knowledge of these issues. No employer I know would be AT ALL comfortable with this. And that's before you get into the legal mess if the strips of paracetamol become separated from the identifying box and patient info leaflet!

Pinklady if you have any pharmacy or prescription meds to anyone you'd be breaking the law. It's dangerous.

Graphista · 11/10/2018 18:55

Argh have should be gave in last para

thewrinklefairy · 11/10/2018 19:34

In my experience, there is no one who cannot take paracetamol - so the risk of it interacting with anything, except more paracetamol, is zero.
Anti- inflammatories (Nurofen etc) - now that's a different thing .....that would be indefensible and pretty stupid.

BackBoiler · 11/10/2018 19:39

My periods have disappeared forever as I had a hysterectomy.

Pinklady1982 · 11/10/2018 20:05

@Graphista I know, which is why I said I don’t like doing it really, but some people know I take them and have asked previously when they have been really suffering. I have said no on most occasions, depending on what strength I have on me, but if I know that person has had them prescribed before and been fine, then I will share one or two if really needed. It’s more the antihistamines I get asked for most, which I get given in bottles of 100, and you can get the same over the counter but are really expansive.

Graphista · 11/10/2018 21:40

I'm sure you are trying to be kind pinklady but you can get in a lot of trouble and the cocodamol in particular may be being sought by addicts. Personally I think codeine should be prescription only.

celticprincess · 11/10/2018 22:28

What’s the difference between the adult buying them from a shop (no pharmacist required) and asking for them from a colleague or taking them from a free supply in the office. If the office colleague is liable surely the shop selling paracetamol without a pharmacist would be just as liable.

rainbowbear10 · 11/10/2018 22:50

although i think it is a great idea if you are caught short have a supply available in workplaces schools etc but i think the whole period poverty thing is getting out of hand expecting everything for free better to cut the VAT or make sanitary products available cheaper .. i wonder how our mothers and grandmothers aunties etc managed during their periods in the olden days. but i wouldnt supply medication its one thing to get some from a collegue but not put it out on the shelf on a take if you need it

Ollivander84 · 11/10/2018 23:17

rainbow - cloth pads I guess but also shorter life expectancy and pregnant most of the time! So less periods plus women often start periods earlier now
I mean I started mine age 9-10. My mum was still having them at 55. I don't expect to have children. So that could be 45 years of bastard periods
Mine are also 7-8 days long

Gingerrogered · 11/10/2018 23:31

ollivander, I wasn’t referring to you, apologies if you thought I was, I was referring to the OP where she knows who it is and there’s silly signs about a ‘period fairy. I think sanitary products alone is kind. But I’m not really sure how needed it is in most cases, I expect the biggest users would probably be piss takers who just saw it as free stuff rather than the really needy. IMO you’d be better off giving them to a refuge or food bank. Those most in need will be those out of work on sanctions and they won’t be in work but will be at food banks etc.

In my experience, there is no one who cannot take paracetamol - so the risk of it interacting with anything, except more paracetamol, is zero.
Anti- inflammatories (Nurofen etc) - now that's a different thing .....that would be indefensible and pretty stupid.

That really just goes to show why non Chemists shouldn’t give medical advice! There are conditions where it should be taken and medication and conditions where it should be taken with extreme caution.

Badfridgesmells · 11/10/2018 23:35

I share an office with a small team of nurses. We have a drawer with tampons, spare change, biscuits and paracetamol in it.

What should we do if someone takes a biscuit overdose?

Gingerrogered · 11/10/2018 23:37

Try giving her an enema to get rid of her excess facetiousness maybe?

Ollivander84 · 11/10/2018 23:41

Ginger - I just put them there as we have no other access so if you forget to bring anything or come on when you're not expecting it, you're stuck. No shops nearby and strictly timed breaks plus a mostly male work environment
I can be the only female in sometimes! Plus it saves me remembering anything, I just keep it stocked up

GrabbyMcGrabby · 12/10/2018 00:08

OMG, I know someone who's allergic to paracetamol. And I mean full on reaction, requiring hospitalisation. Also paracetamol should not be taken with some medications - more info here. beta.nhs.uk/medicines/paracetamol-for-adults/

GrabbyMcGrabby · 12/10/2018 00:25

Nice idea to leave sanpro for those that need it. The idea of painkillers is kind but dodgy.

@thewrinklefairy, and anyone else who believes that - there is no one who cannot take paracetamol - so the risk of it interacting with anything, except more paracetamol, is zero. Anti- inflammatories (Nurofen etc) - now that's a different thing .....that would be indefensible and pretty stupid' needs to have a good look at the NHS website on Paracetamol. Paracetamol cannot be taken safely by everyone and does interact some other drugs.

Volant · 12/10/2018 01:18

Grabby, I know it's a wild guess, but would I be right in thinking the person you know who is allergic to paracetamol could work out that when she sees a packet marked "paracetamol" she should perhaps give its contents a swerve?

GrabbyMcGrabby · 12/10/2018 07:30

Sure, but the first time came as a nasty surprise...