Het Pijnstillersparadijs: Europese Zelfbeheersing vs. Amerikaanse Pillenfeest - eviltoast
  • Eatspancakes84@lemmy.world
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    3 days ago

    I have never heard of this in the context of ibuprofen. I know it’s bad on the stomach which means you shouldn’t take it for long periods of time (unless prescribed by a doctor). However, when the source of the pain disappears it’s pretty easy to kick the habit. Very different from opioids that are addictive beyond their painkilling ability.

    Also between European countries the price of otc painkillers differs tremendously, and my impression is that European pharmacies generally only sell small packages in an effort to maximise profits.

    • teije9@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      3 days ago

      that very much depends on your country. here in the Netherlands every supermarket/pharmacy sells them, and they usually have them at school/office administration desks for free.

      in France however, paracetamol isn’t even otc 😭😭

      • Eatspancakes84@lemmy.world
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        2 days ago

        How exactly do small packages limit use? There is no limit to the amount of packages you can buy. However, those small packages are severely overpriced. I think it’s safe to say that profit considerations played a role in their design.

        • bufalo1973@lemmy.ml
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          2 days ago

          Nobody buys 3 packages at once. If someone does that it raises some alarms. And they come in blisters, not as candy, so your first way of taking them is one by one.

          • Eatspancakes84@lemmy.world
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            1 day ago

            I do! I usually buy an annual supply in the Netherlands because it is much cheaper than in other European countries. No alarms were ever raised (obviously since otc pharmacies are entirely anonymous). Again, the price difference between countries gives a strong indication of the profit motive involved.

            The argument about blisters sounds ridiculous. Do you really believe you will stop an addict from his addiction because he has to push a bit harder.