The size of commonly-available packs of paracetamol will be reduced by up to half under a new final decision by Australia’s medicinal watchdog.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has finalised plans to reduce the size of paracetamol packets, in a bid to prevent the number of intentional overdoses.
Under the plan supermarkets and convenience stores will only be allowed to sell a maximum of 16 tablets, down from 20, and pharmacies will only be permitted to sell 50 tablets, down from 100, without supervision from a chemist.
The changes will come into effect from February 1, 2025, to give retailers time to adjust.
Customers can only access a packet of 100 tablets with the supervision of a chemist.
The products will need to be housed in blister packaging.
“The maximum size of Pharmacy Only packs of individually wrapped powders or sachets of granules containing paracetamol will also be reduced in line with tablet and capsule packs,” TGA said in a statement.
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Access to liquid, modified release, and Schedule 4 (Prescription Only) paracetamol is not affected.
The decision was made due to the fact around 50 Australians die from paracetamol overdose each year, the TGA said.
A further 250 people, on average, are hospitalised.
The TGA said the rates of intentional overdose are highest among adolescents and young adults.
“To further minimise the harm from paracetamol overdose, the TGA is encouraging retailers such as supermarkets to restrict sales to a single pack at a time,” TGA said.
“The TGA is also encouraging consumers not to stockpile paracetamol in their home and to appropriately store paracetamol and other medicines.”
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