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" Recommendations about how much paracetamol can be sold at one time are being ignored by many retailers, researchers have warned. Currently, UK legislation restricts the sale of paracetamol to packets of no more than 16 tablets, although registered pharmacies can supply packets of up to 32 tablets.  The drugs watchdog has also recommended that only one packet of the common painkiller be sold at a time, a measure designed to prevent deaths resulting from paracetamol overdose, although there is no law against selling two or more packets in one go.  However, research published in the Postgraduate Medical Journal suggests that this advice is being ignored. The study surveyed over 100 patients who had been brought to a London hospital for treatment of paracetamol poisoning, finding that three quarters had taken more than 16 tablets in one go. Of these, 16 reported that they were able to buy more than one packet at a time.  The study&amp;#039;s authors themselves found that they were able to buy as many as 48 tablets at a time in nine of 16 outlets they visited in central London.  Reacting to the study, drugs watchdog the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) commented: &amp;quot;We have worked with the Over The Counter (OTC) medicines sector and major retailers to promote voluntary restraints on multiple sales, such as till bars on purchase of more than two packs of analgesics and avoidance of multiple sales promotions.  &amp;quot;The MHRA continues to review the need for additional measures to protect public health.&amp;quot; \u00A9 Adfero Ltd "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/healthy-living/news/a14089/paracetamol-advice-being-ignored/>