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. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

All shoppers were of similar age and background, highly motivated, trained and well briefed prior to study.

Study collected quantitative data with qualitative evidence supporting the findings.

Findings will have broad implications for the sales and safety of all over-the-counter medications.

Data collection only focused on Staffordshire and Shropshire, however, large branded stores were included highlighting a potential national picture.

Internet sales was not explored.

Introduction

Paracetamol misuse is the number 1 cause of overdose in the UK.1 2 Up to 90 000 presentations with paracetamol overdoses are witnessed in healthcare settings per year in the UK with around 200 associated deaths that occur annually.3–5 Deliberate overdoses are often impulsive whereby individuals take drugs that are already stored at home.6 7 Furthermore, many accidental overdoses result from a person with poor pain management, taking more than the recommended limit from lack of education or inadvertently exceeding the recommended dose, by taking two or more different paracetamol-containing preparations (eg, pure paracetamol and Lemsip max).8

Rising overdose rates in the 1990s, led to the UK Medicines Control Agency (now the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)) consulting and advising the UK government. Consequently, new legislation introduced in September 1998 resulted in paracetamol pack size restrictions to 16×500 mg tablets/capsules/caplets at non-pharmacy retail outlets (stores without an in store pharmacy).9 The sale of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs is now commonplace with almost every newsagent, grocery and bargain store selling them. In 2009 the MHRA released further guidelines governing OTC drug sales in the UK stating “no retailer should sell more than two packets of paracetamol (500 mg) in one transaction, retailers should be discouraged from promoting the sale of more than one pack at a time and that it is illegal to sell more than 100 tablets of paracetamol (500 mg) or aspirin (75–300 mg) in one transaction.” 10 11 Consequently current guidelines state that the maximum quantity recommended for OTC sale is 32×500 mg and 32×75–300 mg for paracetamol and aspirin, respectively, at non-pharmacy stores. Furthermore, the law states that no more than 100 tablets/capsules/caplets (500 mg paracetamol and 7.5–30 mg aspirin) can be sold at any non-pharmacy retail outlet or pharmacy establishment in one transaction.10 Since these national guidelines were introduced (in 2009) death rates in the UK from paracetamol overdose have dropped by 43%.12

However, it seems that more can be done. From preliminary investigations we observed that some non-pharmacy retail outlets were selling 48 tablets/caplets of paracetamol (500 mg) and encouraging sale of three packets (3×16 tablets) as bargain offers. This initiated the initial mystery shopper exercise to explore the extent to which a range of retailers were abiding by MHRA guidelines in non-pharmacy retail outlets (stage 1). These findings triggered further investigation (stage 2). Our aim was to assess the number of stores willing to break MHRA guidelines and the law.

Methodology

We investigated how well MHRA guidelines for limited sales of aspirin or paracetamol were adhered to in a range of retail outlets grouped as ‘mainstream stores’ (including Sainsbury's, Tesco, Morrisons, Asda, Co-op, Lidl, Aldi, Superdrug and Boots); and ‘bargain’ stores (including Poundland, Pound World, Wilko, Savers, Body Care, B and M, Premiere, 99p Store, Home bargains, Cost cutter, Pound stretcher, and other independent stores and newsagents). We aimed to gather data from at least 50 stores selected for their easy accessibility for the local population, such as town centres and on local bus routes without any exclusion criteria. Data were collected in Spring 2015.

Stage 1

Four geographical areas across Staffordshire and Shropshire were selected, hosting approximately 15 shops each selling paracetamol and aspirin; Newcastle-u-Lyme and Keele, Stoke-on-Trent and Hanley, Stafford and Stone and Shrewsbury. Sixty two shops were selected to include as many different bargain and other retail shops as possible (36 mainstream and 26 bargain stores). Eight medical students were recruited and inducted as mystery shoppers and split into four groups with one person buying aspirin and the other paracetamol from their allocated geographical area. They attempted to buy ≥96 tablets/capsules/caplets (or as many as cashiers would allow in one transaction) and an extra item of confectionary—as typical shoppers. Additionally, they were given a brief ‘I'm going away for a while and suffer migraines’ to use if questioned by cashiers.

Stage 2

Fifty-four non-pharmacy retail outlets in the same four locations across Shropshire and Staffordshire were selected; many similar outlets to those included in stage 1 (29 mainstream and 25 bargain stores). Four medical students were recruited and inducted as mystery shoppers each tasked with purchasing two packets of paracetamol (16×500 mg) in conjunction with one pack of paracetamol-containing ‘flu remedy, and a bottle of Lucozade. They were given the brief ‘My flat mate has the ‘flu.’ to use if questioned.

All students performed their mystery shopping tasks on different days, a few days apart within the same week. Students’ time was repaid by a £30 shopping voucher with a £50 cash payment to the shopper who purchased the most OTC paracetamol or aspirin overall.

Where mainstream stores were included that contained pharmacies (8/62 stores), mystery shoppers in both stages only presented goods for payment at non-pharmacy checkouts and self-service machines. Mystery shoppers were asked in both stages to record: whether cashiers willingly allowed transactions, if any questions were asked, why any sale was refused, if cashiers would accept multiple transactions of drugs to over-ride any obstruction in payment systems, and any remarks about sales made by cashiers. All remarks were recorded immediately after sale of drugs through a spreadsheet completed by mystery shoppers. Shoppers were instructed not to attend a store more than once and avoid effervescent preparations of paracetamol and aspirin.

Results

Data collection

Of the total 62 retail outlets selected selling paracetamol and aspirin in the four geographical areas, eight stores were either closed or lacked sufficient stock when mystery shoppers attempted to buy aspirin in stage 1. Consequently data were only collected from 54 retail outlets (32 mainstream and 22 bargain stores). Fifty-four stores were identified from the original 62 in stage 1 which sold paracetamol and ‘flu remedies, all of which were open and contained sufficient stocks to allow data collection and inclusion in stage 2.

Paracetamol versus aspirin sales

Fifty-eight per cent (36/62) of retail outlets sold more than the recommended quantity of paracetamol (32× 500 mg) in one transaction. Similarly, 57% (31/54) of retail outlets sold more than the recommended quantity of aspirin (32×300 mg). There were similar results for aspirin and paracetamol when analysing the purchasing of ≥96 tablets/capsules in one transaction. Twenty-three per cent (14/62) and 28% (15/54) of stores sold ≥96 paracetamol (500 mg) and aspirin (300 mg) in one transaction, respectively.

Some stores were willing to exceed sales of legal quantities of aspirin and paracetamol. We observed that 5% (3/62) and 19% (10/54) of shops were willing to sell over 100 tablets/capsules/caplets of paracetamol and aspirin, respectively. In the extremes we observed that a single transaction of 240 aspirin×300 mg was sold from an independent store, while another ‘bargain store’ sold on two occasions in different towns, 144 paracetamol (500 mg); and 168 aspirin (75 mg) at another store elsewhere (see tables 1 and 2 and figures 1 and 2).

Table 1

Summary of total number of paracetamol 500 mg tablet/capsule/caplet sales in stage 1 mystery shopping exercise

	Mystery shops, (n)	>32	≥96	Total pills	Average number of pills sold per customer
Brand 1	1	0	1	144	144
Brand 2	3	3	2	288	96
Brand 3	1	0	1	96	96
Brand 4	1	0	1	96	96
Brand 5	1	0	1	96	96
Brand 6	1	1	0	80	80
Brand 7	5	4	2	352	70
Brand 8	5	3	2	320	64
Brand 9	2	0	1	128	64
Brand 10	4	0	1	240	60
Brand 11	3	0	1	160	53
Brand 12	1	1	0	48	48
Brand 13	5	2	0	240	48
Brand 14	4	1	1	192	48
Brand 15	7	1	1	320	46
Brand 16	1	0	0	32	32
Brand 17	3	0	0	96	32
Brand 18	3	0	0	96	32
Brand 19	1	0	0	32	32
Brand 20	2	0	0	64	32
Brand 21	1	0	0	32	32
Brand 22	1	0	0	32	32
Brand 23	1	0	0	32	32
Brand 24	4	0	0	128	32
Brand 25	1	1	0	32	32
				3376	57

Table 2

Summary of total number of aspirin 75–300 mg tablet/capsule/caplet sales in stage 1 mystery shopping exercise

	Mystery shops, (n)	>32	≥96	Total pills	Average number of pills sold per customer
Brand 25	1	1	1	240	240
Brand 1	1	1	1	128	128
Brand 20	1	1	1	112	112
Brand 2	4	4	2	436	109
Brand 14	4	4	4	320	80
Brand 17	1	1	0	80	80
Brand 16	3	3	1	232	77
Brand 18	2	2	0	128	64
Brand 6	5	2	2	320	64
Brand 8	4	2	1	240	60
Brand 10	3	3	0	176	59
Brand 11	4	1	1	224	56
Brand 13	5	2	1	272	54
Brand 7	1	1	0	48	48
Brand 12	4	2	0	176	44
Brand 24	2	1	0	80	40
Brand 15	1	0	0	32	32
Brand 19	5	0	0	160	32
Brand 21	1	0	0	32	32
Brand 22	1	0	0	32	32
Brand 3	1	0	0	32	32
				3500	70

Figure 1

Average paracetamol (500 mg) purchase distribution in range of store brands included in stage 1 mystery shop. This figure shows the average quantity of paracetamol sold at each brand store. The green line represents the current MHRA guidelines of 32 tablets/capsules/caplets per customer in one transaction. The red line indicated the current legal threshold of 100 tablets.

Figure 2

Average aspirin (300 mg) purhcase distribution in range of store brands included in stage 1 mystery shop. This figure shows the average quantity of aspirin sold at each brand store. The green line represents the current MHRA guidelines of 32 tables/capsules/caplets per customer in one transaction. The red line indicated the current legal threshold of 100 tablets per customer in one transaction.

‘Mainstream’ versus ‘bargain’ store sales of excessive aspirin or paracetamol

Thirty-three per cent (12/36) of the mainstream group compared to 46% (12/26) of the bargain store group sold >32 paracetamol (500 mg); while 19% (7/36) of the mainstream group and 27% (7/26) of the bargain store group sold ≥96 tablets/caplets/capsules of paracetamol (500 mg) in stage 1. Sales of aspirin showed greater disparity between the two groups of stores with 38% (12/32) of cashiers in the mainstream group and 86% (19/22) in the bargain store group selling >32 aspirin (300 mg) and 16% (5/32) in the mainstream group and 55% (10/22) in the bargain store group selling ≥96 aspirin (300 mg).

Sales of paracetamol plus ‘flu remedies-containing paracetamol

We found 98% (53/54) of shops included in stage 2 were willing to sell one packet of paracetamol (16×500 mg) in conjunction with a paracetamol-containing ‘flu remedy. Furthermore, 57% (31/54) sold two packets of paracetamol (ie, total of 32×500 mg) and one ‘flu remedy-containing paracetamol (paracetamol content varied from 3.2 to 10 g within ‘flu remedy packets) in one transaction, thus breaking MHRA guidelines. When comparing mystery shop transactions for the mainstream versus the bargain stores we found 52% (15/29) of mainstreams and 56% (14/25) bargain stores were willing to sell two packets of paracetamol (total of 32×500 mg) and one ‘flu remedy-containing paracetamol.

Interesting comments from mystery shoppers in stage 1

Example 1: On attempting to purchase 96 tablets (300 mg) of aspirin one mystery shopper was asked why they needed so many. After they gave the scripted reply the cashier asked if they would like anymore. As a result the mystery shopper bought 240 tablets (15 packets of 16×300 mg aspirin) and noted that they could have bought but had to stop the cashier supplying more. This shop was an independent store.

Example 2: On attempting to buy 96 (500 mg) paracetamol from an independent newsagents the mystery shopper was told that they could only purchase 32 that day. After hearing the scripted brief, the cashier said that they could sell them two packets (ie, 32×500 mg paracetamol) everyday until they had enough.

Example 3: When attempting to buy seven packets (112×500 mg paracetamol) from a mainstream store at a self-service till, the checkout supervisor cleared the warning message voluntarily and over-rode it with no difficulty; so the mystery shopper was able to purchase 112×500 mg paracetamol tablets—an illegal quantity of paracetamol in one go with no questions asked.

Interesting comments from mystery shoppers in stage 2

Answers given when mystery shoppers were refused to be allowed to purchase all three packets of medication in one transaction were: ‘It's due to guidelines’ (two stores), ‘It's store policy’ (three stores), ‘It's illegal’ (one store), ‘Someone was sacked for it recently’ (one store), ‘I'm worried you may overdose’ (one store) and ‘I don't know why—I just can't’ (15 stores). Two stores without prompting were willing to put all three packets through via two transactions, one cashier asked a manager who agreed to put the products through in two transactions, another did so after the shopper asked if it was possible, one store told the shopper that all three packs contain paracetamol and not to take them together. The remaining 24 stores put all three products through the till with no questions asked (see figure 3). Three mystery shoppers also reported that cashiers told them to go and collect another packet of paracetamol as this was on offer and it would save money, thus two shoppers purchased three packets (3×16 of 500 mg) of paracetamol in conjunction with a paracetamol-containing ‘flu remedy.

Figure 3

Comments and actions made by cashiers when purchasing aspirin and/or paracetamol in stages 1 and 2. This figure shows the comments made to mystery shoppers by cashiers when attempting to purchase paracetamol in conjunction with paracetamol-containing ‘flu remedies’.

Observations by mystery shoppers in stages 1 and 2

Mystery shoppers reported that most stores (41/62) contained signs informing them that they would not sell more than 32 tablets of paracetamol (figure 4A–F). Mystery shoppers also noted display signs encouraging consumers to purchase more than two packets of paracetamol (>2×16, 500 mg) (figure 4G,H), clearly breaching current guidelines set by the MHRA. Many OTC types of medication were placed next to everyday consumables such as shampoo, deodorants etc particularly in bargain stores. It was also observed that some stores displayed the phrase ‘everyday value’ beneath the products (figure 4I).

Figure 4

Signage noted as displayed in stores by mystery shoppers in stages 1 and 2. This figure shows signs observed by mystery shoppers in various retail stores stating the refusal of more than 32 tablets/capsules/caplets of paracetamol/ibuprofen/aspirin (A–F). It also shows display signs advertising three packets of paracetamol/ibuprofen (G and H) and everyday value signs underneath OTCs (I).

They observed variation in ‘flu remedy packaging advice on paracetamol/other medication content: all types of packs purchased printed a message on the front stating the inclusion of paracetamol but the varied font size often made it hard to distinguish the word ‘paracetamol’ from other ingredients listed and the product's brand name. Shoppers reported that a handful of stores in the ‘mainstream’ group also contained pharmacies (8/62); but checkout staff never referred shoppers to an in-store pharmacist to gain professional advice for their pain management or ‘flu symptoms.

Discussion

Data illustrates that regulation of OTC medication sales across Staffordshire and Shropshire is poor with around three of five shops breaching national guidelines and one in four shops encroaching or breaking the legal threshold by selling more than ≥96 tablets of either paracetamol (500 mg) or aspirin (75–300 mg) in one transaction. Furthermore, a total of 13 stores sold illegal quantities of aspirin or paracetamol through selling more than 100 tablet/capsules/caplets in one transaction. There was a disparity in adherence to national guidelines between ‘mainstream and ‘bargain’ stores. Cashiers in bargain stores tended to breach national guidelines that limit quantity of sales of paracetamol and aspirin to individual customers. We also witnessed poor regulation involving sales of paracetamol-containing ‘flu remedies in conjunction with paracetamol-only preparations, with 98% (53/54) stores selling products together and only one acknowledging the potential dangers of dual use. The answers and comments given by cashiers to mystery shoppers were both alarming and interesting and, supported our original hypothesis that lay-cashiers appeared unaware of the national guidelines for the sales of medicine products (figure 3) further highlighting the potential dangers of OTC medication use. It is very concerning that retail shops are selling these preparations without warnings to their customers and often in excessive quantities.

Despite many shops displaying customer information stating the sale restrictions, a significant proportion of stores were breaching MHRA guidelines and the law, seemingly unknowingly. Cashiers seemed unaware why guidelines exist13 and so were willing to break recommendations or find loop holes for themselves or customers, such as to return to the same shop everyday to buy the maximum amount. There was absolute disregard for patient safety when an independent store was willing to sell almost 2.5 times the legal quantity of aspirin (240×300 mg). This attitude and commercial behaviour cannot and should not be tolerated as it makes overdosing with paracetamol or aspirin potentially more likely for the general public.

Another concerning observation was the lack of public safety and protection at self-service checkouts by the absence of alerts. Some shoppers were able to buy 112 tablets/capsules/caplets paracetamol (500 mg) at mainstream stores without any screen messages warning them not to, or alerting self-service supervisors. Mystery shoppers found that until systems could be manually overcome to not just breach guidelines but also break the law. We therefore suggest that all stores set up arrangements preventing sales of more than 32 paracetamol (500 mg) or aspirin (300 mg) in one transaction.

Another concern was the use of ‘every day’ value signs underneath OTC medications and their placement next to commonly purchased consumables such as beauty products. The psychology that these medications are consumables rather than potentially harmful drugs is worrying. By shops shifting medications away from these signs and everyday products, customers may recognise that these medications are not for everyday use and should be used with caution. This mentality that paracetamol is not dangerous has been highlighted in the media several times in recent years, with many reports detailing how victims took multiple tablets in order to treat pain without realising the dangers of paracetamol overdose or other OTC drugs.14–17 There has recently been a huge campaign to stop young people participating in the ‘#paracetamolchallenge’, whereby children encouraged and dared one another over social media to take multiple paracetamol before uploading images to social media networks. This craze has hospitalised numerous young persons with potentially life-long liver damage.18 This again highlights wide scale public ignorance of paracetamol dangers.

The 98% (53/54) of retail outlets selling 16×500 mg paracetamol tablets/capsules in conjunction with a paracetamol-containing ‘flu preparation without any guidance that such medications contain paracetamol was extremely alarming. Stores should not be allowed to sell different preparations-containing paracetamol without adequate warning (eg, verbally informing customers that both products contain paracetamol and should not be taken in conjunction with one another). Pharmacists are trained healthcare professionals who are skilled in informing customers about potential dangers of medication and will make clinical decisions to withhold sale of medication if they do not feel it is warranted. While we appreciate this decision process cannot be made by lay cashiers, the explanation that both products contain paracetamol could be easily implemented by integrating into till systems and staff training.

Reliance on lay advice at checkouts in stores selling paracetamol (even when a pharmacy is elsewhere in-store) may result in significant harm and morbidity which is likely avoidable with proper education of staff. This strengthens the case to explore the benefits of store staff education concerning the potential dangers of selling more paracetamol in one transaction, than guidelines permit on their health customers. It seems bizarre that alcohol and tobacco are highly regulated and OTC medications are not.19 We would therefore like to see OTC medications included in the store's training programme for all staff. We would recommend unannounced inspections in relation to internal or external regulation of paracetamol and/or aspirin sales, through the use of test purchases similar to those used for alcohol and tobacco. The MHRA should initiate action on stores that breach guidelines or legal limits on paracetamol and/or aspirin sales with similar punitive measures as those for tobacco and alcohol mis-sales.

Finally, while we appreciate we have only investigated a small proportion of stores nationally, previous studies elsewhere have shown similar results concerning paracetamol, and as our mystery shopping exercise spanned two counties we can assume that this has provided a good snapshot of what is happening nationally.20

This lack of automatic questioning of customers with paracetamol in their checkout baskets, by poorly trained staff at non-pharmacy retail outlets or checkouts does jeopardise many customers’ safety.

Concluding remarks

Mystery shopper findings justify a much needed change to protect consumers from careless selling of OTC medications on a wide scale across the UK, and tougher regulation of stores breaching guidelines and legal limits on the maximum quantity of paracetamol or aspirin sold in one transaction to the same customer. Such widespread failure of OTC regulation compromises public safety, resulting from the apparent lack of retail store staff education, poor fail-safe systems at checkouts and limited information given to customers on packaging and by sales staff.

Studies investigating the source of overdoses almost a decade ago showed very similar results; however, there has been insufficient change in the MHRA guidelines,20 and ‘3 for 2’ bargain offers of paracetamol are simply dangerous. The combination of poor consumer education concerning potential dangers of excessive use of pain relief medication, an ageing population, pressures from an ever busier National Health Service (NHS) system that encourages self-care, and this potential non-adherence to national best practice guidelines will continue to underpin a high number of avoidable paracetamol-induced deaths. If national guidelines and regulations were enforced, so preventing the large sales of OTC medication in one transaction, it is likely that stockpiling of paracetamol in consumers’ homes will be far less. Consequently, individuals are less likely to take excessive quantities of paracetamol which is easily to hand, in a deliberate overdose in response to a sudden crisis. As a result, their chances of survival will be increased, morbidity decreased with enhanced clinical outcomes and reduced avoidable healthcare usage.

Mystery shopper findings also revealed that ingredients such as paracetamol were not generally clearly defined on the front of ‘flu remedy packs. We therefore recommend that the front covers of all packaging contain an easy to read alert relating to paracetamol content, which is consistent for all brands, of sufficiently a large font size that it can be read by most people without glasses (eg, font size ≥14). We also recommend the introduction of a nationalised logo indicating products-containing paracetamol or aspirin to avoid accidental misuse of multiple preparations (figure 5). The logo should also be raised to provide tactile identification for blind and visually impaired people. This implementation would simplify packaging, make customers more aware of these ingredients and be understandable to those with poor literacy skills.

Figure 5

Proposed logos to be used for OTC medication packaging to highlight paracetamol and aspirin ingredients. This figure demonstrates proposed logos to include on OTC medication products-containing aspirin (top left) and paracetamol (top right). The logo has been incorporated onto a product to display how we propose it could be used (bottom).

MHRA or another national oversight group might consider setting guidelines for paracetamol content; so rather than ‘flu remedy content varying from 300 to 1000 mg paracetamol dose content be adjusted to include the same standard quantity of paracetamol with associated advice about the maximum ‘pure’ paracetamol that can be taken within for example, 6 hours of the paracetamol-containing ‘flu remedy. Thus, pain or temperature control management would be achieved and individuals would have a decreased risk of overdose through ignorance of dangers of paracetamol content in multiple preparations.

We therefore urge the MHRA to review our recommendations and industries and retailers to change their policies and systems for example, signpost customers to pharmacists who request substantive paracetamol or other pain relieving medication such as codeine, utilising their knowledge especially if stores contain an in-house pharmacy. Finally, we want to assure readers that our recommendations have been passed onto the MHRA and we encourage their support to drive change. Furthermore, all retail stores included in our study have been informed with detailed descriptions of potential flaws that we identified in their normal operating procedures.

Limitations

Owing to the varying packet size of paracetamol/aspirin medication and product availability especially in some smaller stores, mystery shoppers were unable to purchase identical amounts or types of medication (capsules/tablets/sachets; or manufacturer). Packet quantity varied from multiples of 8, 12, 16 and 20 tablets/capsules/caplets/sachets. In some cases this limited availability restricted large sales due to small quantities of stock. Furthermore, some shoppers reported only attempting to buy 96 tablets rather than >100 due to pack size restrictions. Along with pack size, strength of aspirin also varies. Many of the bargain stores sell 75 mg aspirin as opposed to the 300 mg commonly sold in shops in the mainstream category. However, MHRA guidelines are the same regarding number of aspirin tablet/capsules/caplet sales whatever the strength. Eight different people were also used to purchase drugs in stage 1 and four others in stage 2. All mystery shoppers were of similar ages (21–27 years); but despite their induction, they may have used slightly different techniques and approaches to purchase drugs. Despite using well-motivated cohorts of student shoppers we recognise that the bonus cash incentive may have motivated shoppers to varying degrees.

We also encountered issues when collecting data. Eight stores were either out of stock or closed during stage 1 aspirin data collection. Similarly, eight stores did not stock paracetamol and paracetamol-containing ‘flu remedies when conducting the stage 2 mystery shop. Data collection was limited to seven towns in four geographical areas around Staffordshire and Shropshire including a small percentage of stores that were easily accessible to the local population and would have had aspirin, paracetamol and ‘flu remedies for sale.

Finally, we did not investigate as part of our study online purchases of OTC medications. This is an area which has been explored and highlighted as a potential medium to easy access of OTC medications.21

Establish new laws:

Illegal to sell >32 paracetamol at non-pharmacy counters.

Non-pharmacy counters not permitted to sell paracetamol and paracetamolcontaining medications in conjunction with one another.

Establish improved staff training and guidelines for sale of paracetamol and/or aspirin.

Regulate OTC medication purchases internally/externally.

Improve all till systems to prevent >32 paracetamol tablet/capsule sales or in conjunction with other products containing paracetamol.

Remove OTC medications away from everyday value signs and commodities.

Produce a standardised visual identification logo to indicate if a product contains paracetamol or aspirin (see figure 5).