�The NPA believes that the reclassification of the bottle presentation of Calpol Six Plus from P to GSL could compromise patient safety, is anomalous in relation to early paracetamol products and is unnecessary as the intersection can be obtained in alternative promotion that carries less risk.
Changes to the Prescription Only Medicines Order in 1998 were made to slim the pack sizes of paracetamol available for sale to the public to prevent both accidental and intentional poisoning. It seems anomalous to us, consequently, that the Government straight off intends to increase the availability of paracetamol for use in older children. This would certainly confuse the populace who have got ill-used to the message of caution which was given when paracetamol sales were restricted.
Whilst we apprize that this strength of paracetamol is available over-the-counter in unit of measurement dose forms, Calpol Six Plus Suspension Sugar Free in sachets and Calpol Six Plus Fastmelts, we believe that GSL availableness of a multi-dose bottle is likely to increment the potentiality for to inadvertent overdosing. Indeed MHRA updated advice of 23 March regarding OTC coughing and cold medicines for young children expressed the same headache regarding the administration of cough medicines to children under two and withdrew the licenses for some cough mixtures aimed at this age group.
The NPA considers that the supply of Calpol 6+ in bottle introduction without the advice of a health care professional carries unwarranted risks to patient safety. Unintentional o.d. is known to come when patients take more than peerless preparation containing paracetamol. When paracetamol preparations are supplied from pharmacies, pharmacists and their staff will check that patients are cognizant that the product contains paracetamol and will remind patients or their carers to avoid taking early paracetamol-containing products concurrently. Such advice is not available in non-pharmacy outlets.
The rationale for this reclassification is granted as increased convenience and accessibility; however as the liquid product is already available in sachet phase as well as the orodispersible tablets there seems to be no need for the bottle presentation.
National Pharmacy Association
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