title: How well are national guidelines relating to the general sales of aspirin and paracetamol, adhered to by retail stores: a mystery shopper study.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  
  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.
  
  
  
  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.
  
  
  
  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.
authors.affiliation: Keele University School of Medicine, Stoke-on-Trent, UK.
authors.forename: Phillip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Molloy
authors.affiliation: NHS Stoke-on-Trent Clinical Commissioning Group/West Midlands Academic Health Science Network, Stoke-on-Trent, UK.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chambers
authors.affiliation: North Staffs and Stoke Local Pharmaceutical Committee, Stoke-on-Trent, UK.
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cork
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D003132:Commerce / Q000592:standards; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards; D004349:Drug Packaging; D004739:England; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D007880:Legislation, Drug; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000600:supply & distribution
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D000082:Acetaminophen; D001241:Aspirin
keywords: HEALTH ECONOMICS; MEDICAL LAW; PAIN MANAGEMENT; PUBLIC HEALTH