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

ABSTRACT:

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 an

SUBMITTER: Molloy P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4735201 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature