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ARCHIVED - Dozens of medications no longer available without a prescription in Spain
The health authorities in Spain are trying to prevent people from self-medicating
It’s long been common practice in Spain to pick up an antibiotic or strong painkiller in the pharmacy without the need for a prescription but those days are coming to an end as the Ministry of Health attempts to crack down on people self-medicating.
Many drugs that should only be prescribed by a doctor are freely handed out over the counter, but a new law means that meds like Ibuprofen 600mg, Paracetamol 1g, Simvastatin, and Nolotil will no longer be available without a script.
The main problem, according to the chemists themselves, is that many garden-variety drugs can cause severe side-effects if taken incorrectly. Ibuprofen, for example, can lead to cardiovascular problems and kidney damage if used in large doses, and excess Paracetamol can have toxic effects on the liver.
Nolotil, the most widely sold painkiller in Spain, is actually banned in more than 40 countries worldwide, including the UK, because of its link to agranulocytosis, a potentially fatal reduction in the number of white blood cells.
But while the larger doses will be restricted to prescription only, the 400mg pack of Ibuprofen and the 600mg box of Paracetamol will still be sold freely in pharmacies across Spain. However, they obviously contain fewer tablets and are actually more expensive.
“The prescription is the guarantee for the patient that the medication he is taking is correct. We need to stop people from treating themselves and encourage them to see their doctor," one pharmacist said.
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