The NHS in England spent over £80 million on paracetamol prescriptions last year, with GPs writing up to 22 million prescriptions for the painkiller, according to BBC figures. This amounts to 58p per pack, compared to just 14p in supermarkets.
Dr Tesh Patel, who leads the Norwich Clinical Commissioning Group's prescribing panel, said patients need to be educated about the drug's 'true cost to the NHS'. He added that when GP time is included, the cost rises even higher.
The Department of Health defended the policy, noting that GPs can prescribe 100-tablet packs, while shops are limited to selling two 16-tablet boxes at a time. A spokesman said this larger prescription size cuts overall costs.
However, think tank 2020health said many patients would be 'horrified' if they knew the costs, though exceptions should be made for those with long-term conditions. Katherine Murphy of the Patients' Association supported encouraging patients to buy their own paracetamol, provided those who rely on it for pain relief and cannot afford it still receive it on prescription.
