Paracetamol availability in pharmacy and non-pharmacy outlets in Dublin, Ireland.

INTRODUCTION: In 2004, there were 11,092 presentations to Irish hospitals with deliberate self-harm, including 7,933 cases of drug overdose, of which 31% involved paracetamol. Limiting the availability of paracetamol reduces morbidity and mortality associated with paracetamol overdose. AIM: The present study aimed to determine the level of compliance with statutory regulations governing the sale of paracetamol in Ireland.
METHODS: Researchers visited pharmacy (n = 20) and non-pharmacy outlets (newsagents, mini-markets and supermarkets) (n = 50) in Dublin city and attempted to purchase amounts of paracetamol that exceeded the statutory limits for a single transaction.
RESULTS: Amounts of paracetamol in excess of statutory limits for a single transaction were purchased in 50.0% of pharmacies, 81.8% of newsagents/mini-markets and 20.0% of supermarkets. One year later, we again visited pharmacy (n = 20) and non-pharmacy outlets (n = 50) in Dublin city and purchased amounts of paracetamol in excess of statutory limits in 50.0% of pharmacies, 52.3% of newsagents/mini-markets and 10.0% of supermarkets.
CONCLUSION: We recommend that (a) notwithstanding the improvement in compliance rates in newsagents/mini-markets, the sale of paracetamol in these outlets should be discontinued; (b) the sale of paracetamol in supermarkets should continue, although automated checkout tills should be appropriately re-programmed; and (c) there should be greater efforts to ensure compliance with statutory regulations in pharmacies.