You can’t have failed to notice it.
For the past month anyone attempting to buy popular over-the-counter painkillers from a pharmacist such as Nurofen Plus or Solpadeine will have been faced with what can be politely termed as a lecture on the potential dangers of the medications.
An array of facts on usage, questions on whether you have travelled to another store recently to purchase the same type of drug, queries on your medical history and inquisitive looks will potentially mean the prospect of leaving with a lower dosage than planned, or no product at all.
The situation may feel unnecessary, and at times it is undeniably frustrating, but the long-term benefits of such a defensive posture from pharmacists far outweigh any minor, short-term difficulties.
Source: Fiachra O Cionnaith, The Irish Examiner, 04/09/2010