Paracetamol Shortage?

[LauraKsWhiteCoat]

I've been slowly stocking up on essentials for the past few months to cushion my family against a no deal Brexit, and one of my staples is cheap paracetamol. Given that the supermarkets will only allow you to buy two packets at a time for safety reasons, I try to buy some whenever I shop.

Recently the cheapest packets of 16 tablets have gone from 29p to 45p a packet. Last week, my local Tesco had barely any left. The shelf was empty but for a couple of packets of the more expensive brands.

I also noticed that they were out of things like own brand Immodium and Rehydration sachets, which I wanted to take on holiday. It's possible this is just due to high demand from summer holidaymakers, but it did worry me.

Has anyone else noticed a shortage of cheap Paracetamol or other medicines? I'm starting to feel a bit concerned.

[hadthesnip2]

Thanks sooty. I open the thread thinking that there was a major drug shortage that I wasn't aware of. But no.....just more anti-brexit bollox by the panic party.

I've had a cold all week & didnt have any problems buying paracetamol & Canadian extra. I'm off to do the weekly shop tomorrow so I'll be taking a keen eye on Asda's stocks whilst I'm there

[hadthesnip2]

• Anadin extra.....

[Userplusnumbers]

@Thistly - while I feel for you with your migraines, as a fellow sufferer - I don't feel that your example is at all relevant if you're able to ward them off with over the counter painkillers. No migraine sufferer I know cn get by on paracetamol...

OP - I haven't noticed any shortage, and as previous PP have mentioned, things like paracetamol are so widely used it makes sense to produce them in the UK. So seems to be an issue with your local store more than anything.

[YesQueen]

@Greysparkles I had cauda equina. One of the most painful conditions. Surgery left me with back pain so I take painkillers every night
And once a week I inject myself with a drug that gives me flu symptoms - fever, shivering, headache, nausea, passing out.. I use paracetamol to bring my temperature down

[1forAll74]

What is this obsession with paracetamol tablets.. I was just looking for something on the shelves in the co-op today,near to the tablets etc, and noticed a sign,saying, sorry, no paracetamol available until new supplies available..

I haven't had to use any for years and years, but got about 6 packets in my first aid drawer here, but they were from my Mums flat.after she died 15 years ago, so perhaps no good now, ha ha.

[SimplySteveRedux]

Go to the GP, explain the situation and they will/should be willing to issue you a private px for 100/200 especially if they're aware you take them. Will cost about £7 including private px cost.

[SimplySteveRedux]

The shortage situation is affecting px drugs too. Shortages of Naproxen, Looeramide, Diclofenac, Pregabalin, Glucagon, Insulin pens, Oxycodone and some others in the past three months, and getting worse.

[SimplySteveRedux]

Ah yes. Diazepam.

[lonelyplanetmum]

The shortage situation is affecting px drugs too. Shortages of Naproxen, Looeramide, Diclofenac, Pregabalin, Glucagon, Insulin pens, Oxycodone and some others in the past three months, and getting worse.

Some HRT shortages reported too I think.

For those with daily pain it must be so frightening to feel that paracetamol or other pain relief may become unavailable. I'm so sorry.

It is also unfair that the price has increased in the way it has. This is not scaremongering - it is factual.

Why are there unsympathetic comments from posters who are entirely unaffected ? If you have no daily pain or are posting from a country where supply hasn’t fallen -yes you will be ok. But where is the kindness and compassion for those who are affected?

Why Can’t people see that this is all so unnecessary.

The Sacrifice and price increases are for no gain to anyone (other than some extremely wealthy US business and people and some disaster capitalists).

It is unanimously agreed by specialists with years of experience in logistics, transport, pharma, medicine and the food and drink industry that the no-deal Brexit we now face will lead to shortages and price increases of many foods and medicines. Even national and local government reports ( some leaked) confirm this. See the recently leaked civil servants' presentation on the first day, fortnight and month after Brexit without a withdrawal agreement.

What’s the point in denying it. By all means say “ it’s a price worth paying” if that’s your (fallacious) belief. But don’t deny the reality.

[lawnmowingsucks]

I had a cold last week and went through a whole pack.

[bellinisurge]

Can't say I've noticed. I also pop some in the basket whenever I see it. I actually can't tolerate it - bit of a bummer as I have MS and am prone to random neuropathic pain. Dh can have it, though. I do the same with packs of ibuprofen and Calpol.
I was prescribed mindfulness to help lower the pain having been on Diclofenac and gabapentin. Helped loads and now I can generally manage with the odd ibuprofen if it is too bad. Other people aren't so lucky. As I say, haven't noticed a shortage.

[Ivegotthree]

Stop the scaremongering. It's pathetic and fucks things up for everyone else.

[bernietaupinspen]

@lonelyplanetmum

I have every sympathy for people with daily pain who NEED these painkillers. OP however, is not one of them.

[bellinisurge]

Nope, op. No shortages of those basic things in my area. Maybe it's like "ice lolly gate" on here and there was a run due to the hot weather. I'm a general prepper, I notice this stuff.

[LauraKsWhiteCoat]

@bernietaupinspen

I have every sympathy for people with daily pain who NEED these painkillers. OP however, is not one of them.

Thanks for your diagnosis. How did you come to that conclusion?

I suffer from a degenerative condition that gives me chronic pain. I've had 2 surgeries and am currently waiting for physio therapy to help manage the latest manifestation. I tend to use Ibuprofen to manage that pain, as it works better for inflammation.

Paracetamol works well for headaches, fever, feeling unwell from a cold, other pain. I don't NEED it, I can manage without it as I tend to muddle on with the pain. But I'd rather not have to.

[LauraKsWhiteCoat]

Nope, op. No shortages of those basic things in my area

That's good to know. I think from this thread I've seen that some people have noticed shortages and price increases, and others haven't. That's good - it probably means it's just a local supply issue, and maybe a summer surge.

[bernietaupinspen]

@LauraKsWhiteCoat

I took the information you gave in the OP 🤷‍♀️

You know where you mentioned 'stocking up'

[lonelyplanetmum]

For people who want to read more about the plans and costs (from sources other than the usual newspapers) here are some links.

www.civilserviceworld.com/articles/news/dft-plans-£300m-no-deal-framework-transport-critical-goods-four-years-post-brexit

www.civilserviceworld.com/articles/news/health-department-opens-bids-£25m-contracts-transport-medicines-revised-no-deal-brexit

https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/en/knowledge/publications/16d0fc9c/impact-of-brexit-on-the-transport-sector

https://www.oxera.com/agenda/brexit-implications-for-the-transport-sector/

https://www.pwc.co.uk/pharmaceuticals-life-sciences/assets/brexit-for-pharma-and-is-global-flyer.pdf

https://www.epmmagazine.com/news/norway-plus-brexit-least-damaging-to-pharma-manufacturing-lo/

[LauraKsWhiteCoat]

@bernietaupinspen

You assumed that me saying I was stocking up on essentials meant I didn't actually need them and wasn't in daily pain.

Ok

I didnt feel the need to detail my own condition in my OP. Paracetamol is essential to me, I don't need to justify why.

[LauraKsWhiteCoat]

Thank you @lonelyplanetmum that's really useful

[EleanorReally]

why buy so much paracetamol, surely your body would get immune to it?

[bernietaupinspen]

@LauraKsWhiteCoat

No need to get shirty. I took your OP at face value. There was no mention of it being essential.

[Mamamia456]

OP - I had this with ibuprofen a couple of months ago. Every shop I went in seemed to have run out. I asked the shop assistant if there was a supplier problem and she said no, but they would be getting a delivery in the next day. So I think it just depends on when their delivery comes in and when you do your shopping. Nothing to worry about at all.

[CherryPavlova]

Sadly most drugs are not produced in the U.K. Those that are made here are highly regulated and the manufacturing lines are complex with numerous safety check points.

Paracetamol is manufactured here but lines are being modified in preparation for a no deal Brexit. We will have to make more of the generic brands in U.K. if we crash out. There will be no license to import from EU factories. This will have reduced stocks becoming available.

Many of the large U.K. based pharmaceutical companies trade from U.K. currently but import from abroad as part of process. Some such as GSK are considering moves to other countries.

[LauraKsWhiteCoat]

why buy so much paracetamol, surely your body would get immune to it?

Paracetamol is an often overlooked but very useful drug. You don't build up an immunity to painkillers, but your body can build up a tolerance with heavy use.

I'm trying to build up a buffer so I have enough for essential needs, if there is indeed a shortage. I don't use it heavily.