Petition · past parliament · Department of Health and Social Care
Allow Paracetamol to be sold in pack sizes of 100-250 again
Closed
70 signatures
What the petition asks
Consider the benefits of having a workable supply of tablets being available in shops or chemists in a single pack.
Currently we needed to stockpile 6 packs of 16 tablets to have enough to last just one person long enough to get through 14 days, the length of time days people with Covid19 are required to self-isolate.
The 1998 research that reduced the supply of these tablets was well meaning. In reality, anyone who wants to overdose on Paracetamol can find a way to access it. But when you have Covid19 and suffer the associated flu symptoms like muscle pain, high temperatures and fever, a pack size of 16 tablets lasts one person 48 hours and self isolation makes replenishing supplies extremely difficult. Chemists can sell packs of 32 but most people shop in shops and can only buy packs of 16.
The 1998 research that reduced the supply of these tablets was well meaning. In reality, anyone who wants to overdose on Paracetamol can find a way to access it. But when you have Covid19 and suffer the associated flu symptoms like muscle pain, high temperatures and fever, a pack size of 16 tablets lasts one person 48 hours and self isolation makes replenishing supplies extremely difficult. Chemists can sell packs of 32 but most people shop in shops and can only buy packs of 16.
Timeline
| 13 Mar 2020 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 13 Sep 2020 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
70
Status
Closed
Department
Department of Health and Social Care
Opened
13 Mar 2020
Closed
13 Sep 2020
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.