Data from: How well are national guidelines relating to the general sales of aspirin and paracetamol, adhered to by retail stores: a mystery shopper study

Objective: To determine whether non-pharmaceutical retail outlets are
aboding to the current Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
(MHRA) national guidelines for over-the-counter (OTC) sales of aspirin and
paracetamol. Methods: Stages 1 and 2 of the study deployed eight and four
medical students, respectively, to undertake a mystery shopper style
investigation. Stage 1: eight medical students attempted to buy ≥96
tablets/capsules aspirin or paracetamol in one transaction in 62 shops.
Stage 2: four medical students attempted to purchase 32 paracetamol 500 mg
along with a ‘flu remedy preparation also containing paracetamol, in 54
shops. Results: Stage 1 data revealed that 58% and 57% retailers sold more
than the MHRA guidelines recommended for paracetamol and aspirin,
respectively. We observed that 23% and 28% retailers were willing to sell
≥96 tablets of paracetamol or aspirin with no questions asked. Stage 2
results showed that 57% retailers sold 32×500 mg paracetamol in
conjunction with a paracetamol-containing ‘flu preparation; while 98%
shops sold 16×paracetamol 500 mg along with a paracetamol-containing ‘flu
remedy, with no questions asked of the shopper or advice given.
Discussion: MHRA national guidelines for OTC medicines sales appear to be
poorly adhered to in non-pharmacy shops. Sales of aspirin and paracetamol
OTC must be better regulated in the UK to ultimately reduce morbidity and
mortality rates of deliberate and accidental overdoses.