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.

[LauraKsWhiteCoat]

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

It is literally in the first sentence of my OP.

[LauraKsWhiteCoat]

@Mamamia456 that's reassuring, thank you. I think it must have been a local issue here too.

[bernietaupinspen]

@LauraKsWhiteCoat

The rest of your post adds context though.

Crack on, I don't particularly care for an argument.

[thesnapandfartisinfallible]

It always goes up in the summer. So does piriton. People spend too much time in the sun, don't drink enough then take it for their headache. Obviously the price will go up with increased demand, they're not stupid, they're running a business.

[MiddleForDiddle]

Not noticed any shortages but I've noticed the price has gone up. Still extremely cheap though.
I take Co codamol (prescribed by GP) for back pain. It's the only thing that works. Sadly I can't buy the necessary strength otc.

Things like dioralyte, imodium etc are probably in short supply due to people stocking up for their holidays.

[EleanorReally]

It is 30p a packet in asda op

[LauraKsWhiteCoat]

Ah yes it makes sense that there's a shortage of loperamide, piriton etc in the summer. That's reassuring.

I found the same plar - the Tesco own brand Loperamide was gone, and Immodium is several ££ more expensive.

[Thistly]

@Userplusnumbers I and several people know who have been properly diagnosed with migraines use a combination of maximum dose paracetamol and ibuprofen together at the same time at the onset of the visual disturbances. It works for us.
Don’t call my example irrelevant. It is highly relevant to the thread, where people were busy telling the op they shouldn’t need to use painkillers regularly.


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?

Completely agree with this but mumsnet is chocka with people who struggle to believe that other people’s lived experience might be different from theirs.

[3luckystars]

I have not noticed any shortages either. Could you do a few trips and stock up if you are worried. How long does paracetamol stay in date?

[SistemaAddict]

@Greysparkles Why do you need so much? It can't be good for you taking large amounts. I can't remember the last time I had to take a painkiller!

Well, aren't you lucky. Some of us have chronic pain and need paracetamol daily at the maximum dose. A packet of 16 therefore will only last 2 days. I can't take ibuprofen or other NSAIDs and take opiates too. Think yourself very lucky that you don't have to worry about medication shortages.

[LauraKsWhiteCoat]

Yeah I'm stocking up, just two packets every time I shop. I think it stays in date for years, I've never checked!

[SistemaAddict]

I get all my drugs on prescription but it's a good idea to have a supply of otc things in. I can't take ibuprofen but my children can so I have a supply of that. I also have loperamide, indigestion remedies, a first aid kit, antihistamines, calpol for the youngest as he can't swallow tablets yet.

[AnnaBegins]

Most paracetamol tablets are produced in India, not the UK. A few years ago (7 years maybe) there was a fire at one factory and a major paracetamol shortage. However I've only noticed sporadic shortages recently (2 local supermarkets out of ibuprofen last week too) so I believe it's just localised.

[BlackeyedGruesome]

Plenty of paracetamol and ibuprofen in Asda this afternoon.

[EveLevine]

Not sure how they are allowed, but my local Poundland sell 3 packs for £1. They had plenty in yesterday, I’ve been buying 3 every time I go, just in case - not for me but for DM who isn’t allowed to use aspirin or ibuprofen so relies on paracetamol when she needs pain relief.

[Oranginna]

The army is reporting painkiller shortages for the elite airborne infantry regiment. Doesn't matter how much they stock up, paras eat 'em all.

[HappyHammy]

you can get paracetomol pretty much anywhere, chemists, supermarkets, general stores, discount stores, I haven't seen any shortage but I don't buy them very often.

[ifonly4]

I work for a shops with a large healthcare section. We don't get deliveries on a Sunday, but there was plenty of stock in every section including paracetamol and ibruprofen.

[bernietaupinspen]

I’ve been buying 3 every time I go, just in case - not for me but for DM who isn’t allowed to use aspirin or ibuprofen so relies on paracetamol when she needs pain relief.

3 packs every time you go 'just in case' is the very behaviour that leads to these shortages.

[bellinisurge]

@bernietaupinspen , don't be silly. There are restrictions on how many packets you can buy in one go. Surely it is up to people to decide for themselves whether they want buy them. And for the market to respond. There is no paracetamol shortage. And as long as just in time supply and distribution works, there will be no shortage.

[bernietaupinspen]

What do you mean there is no shortage? That's literally the whole point of the thread

And I'm the one being silly

[bellinisurge]

@bernietaupinspen , I have told the op that there is no shortage that I , as a general prepper, am aware of. Tbe op has acknowledged this.

[bernietaupinspen]

Oh well. So long as you have spoken.

[howwudufeel]

Why do you think there are shortages? There are lots of paracetamol manufacturers in the UK.