Major change in accessing popular painkiller hits shelves

Aussies will now face new rules when trying to buy one of the country’s most popular medications after a concerning number of overdoses.

A major change to the way Aussies access the popular painkiller paracetamol will be ushered in on Saturday following a startling number of overdoses.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration announced a suite of changes to the sale of paracetamol in May 2023 to reduce the risk of liver damage and intentional overdoses.

The changes include a reduction in the size of paracetamol packages sold outside pharmacies from 20 capsules or tablets to 16.

There are new rules governing the sale of paracetamol coming into effect on February 1, 2025. Picture: NewsWire/Joel Carrett

Paracetamol is also required to be in blister packaging for general sale, and the TGA has encouraged retailers to only sell one pack at a time.

The new rules also apply to medications that contain paracetamol, such as cold and flu medicine.

Paracetamol packs with more than 50 tablets will need to be sold under the supervision of a pharmacist under the new regulations.

However, residents in Queensland and Western Australia will need to consult a pharmacist if they want to buy more than 16 tablets of paracetamol.

The changes are set to take effect on February 1 after which time it will be illegal to sell paracetamol packs of more than 16 tablets in supermarkets, convenience stores or petrol stations.

The new rules have been announced to combat a rise in hospitalisations as a result of paracetamol poisoning.

Panadol is one of the more popular brands of paracetamol. Picture: NewsWire / David Mariuz

The TGA revealed 50 people die from a paracetamol overdose each year in Australia and 255 people are hospitalised with liver injuries.

An independent expert report found intentional overdoses had increased over the last decade, especially among adolescents and young adults.

It also found paracetamol is the most commonly used medicine in the overdoses of young Australians, with the figure sitting steady at 50 per cent.

However, the TGA noted the tragic outcomes were “extremely rare” considering the millions of paracetamol packs sold across the country each year.

The new regulations were informed by the expert report, advice from the Advisory Committee on Medicines Scheduling, and submissions from healthcare organisations and the public.

Pain advocacy body Painaustralia was also involved in the consultation with the TGA over the proposed changes to paracetamol access.

Paracetamol is relatively safe to use. Picture: NewsWire / David Mariuz

Painaustralia chief executive Monika Boogs welcomed the new restrictions as an important safety measure but noted some consumers were concerned about how it would affect their pain management.

“While Painaustralia understands the reason for the changes, many pain consumers who do rely on paracetamol to manage their pain have expressed their concerns about the cost and whether this means the price per tablet will increase,” she said.

“And for regional and rural consumers who live with pain, it can be difficult when they’re travelling long distances to buy a pack of paracetamol.”

There are no new safety concerns for the use of paracetamol, which remains relatively safe if taken as directed.

Originally published as Major change in accessing popular painkiller hits shelves