Drug Costs

Today I want to rant about the cost of common drugs for a bit.

Cetirizine [di]hydrochloride 10mg
The least expensive found are 14 for £1, or about 7p each.
The most expensive found are 14 for £6, or about 43p each.

Paracetamol (acitemenophen) 500mg
The least expensive found are 16 for 30p, or about 2p each.
The most expensive found are 24 for £4.50, or about 19p each.

Ibuprofen 200mg
The least expensive found are 16 for 35p, or about 2p each.
The most expensive found are 16 for £3.70 , or about 23p each.

Paracetamol + Aspirin & Caffeine
The least expensive found are 16 for 28p, or about 2p each.
The most expensive found are 12 for £2.00 , or about 17p each.

The last time I bought cetirizine a friend said that she takes it too and asked if it was cheaper. One item on prescription is £8.40, but the same from Poundland is £2, or from Boots is £3. Imagine the stereotypical little old lady going to the doctors to get something for her joints over winter. The doctor prescribes ibuprofen. The pharmacy hands over a box of 16 with instructions and demands £8.40. The same thing would cost 35p at Boots. The pharmacy might even be a Boots one and have them on the shelf, but because it's a prescription it will cost that much more, TWENTY FOUR times more, and they don't always tell you that you can buy the 35p version instead.

Ok, I feel a bit better now. I got some cetirizine and plain paracetamol earlier. I also got a ground-sheet from Poundland, I don't expect much but if I ruin it somehow at least it was only £1.