Hi Everyone,
Just a quick question which some of you may be able to help me with:
Can I send some over the counter medicine from Canada to the UK or will I get into trouble?

My Dad came over to Canada to visit us in May and bought some 650mg 'time release' Acetaminophen (paracetamol) as his arthritis was playing him up - it worked really well for him and he took some home. His pharmacist in UK said that they were not available in the UK and he wondered if I could send some.

I don't really want to get into trouble and equally don't know where to start searching for info - any help very much appreciated.

Many thanks in advance
Mrs Flying Squirrel

I sent Panadol to the US from the UK once, friend couldn't find a soluble equivalent there. I put "toiletries" on the customs form.

I don't see why you couldn't, I mean it's only paracetamol, isn't it? There's no banned ingredient or anything...

Agree with Biiiink. I can't see how it would be a problem if it's a drug that's OTC in both countries (i.e. the active ingredient is the same - it's just a different delivery method.) It would be dodgy to send something that was prescription only in the recipient's country, but not paracetamol I wouldn't think.

I brought over 4 large bottles of medicine for my son who has bother going to the toilet (yeah like you wanted to know that) but I put them into a suite case and was not asked any questions and my hand bag had pain killers and knockout tablets (those were for son number 2) fear of flying. we were not stopped

Sorry to be a pedant but I don't think paracetomol/acetaminophen is really classified as an OTC drug.

Certain drugs are non-prescription but are kept behind the counter and can only be obtained by asking the pharmacist. I used to buy a brand of vitamins that could only be bought like that. Acetaminophen is free-sale.

As for a customs declaration, if they're in foil sheets or flat between tissue paper or similar, then it won't seem any different to a letter - assuming there are a couple of pages anyway.

It might mean sending them in smaller amounts.

In the UK , 16 tablet packs may be brought pretty much anywhere , garages etc. Anyhting larger (up to 32 tablets) becomes a P-med , which can only be sold under the supervision of a pharmacist.

Multiple packs can be purchased in a pharmacy provided the total number of tablets does not exceed 100. anything more needs a prescription
at least this was the situation when I worked in a pharmacy. Has been a few years

Perhaps write or call UK Customs and find out whether you are allowed to
send Tylenol to your dad .Find out about any limit on the doses and the
amount of tablets they will allow you to send through the post from Canada.
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/online/index.htm
Also send them the link of Tylenol Canada to let them see that the ones
you are going to send are plain Tylenol with no Codeine.

Yoong

My Mum posted me some paracetamol from the UK to here (before I figured out that Acetominophine was the same stuff) with no probs.

I used to get some pills sent to me from Spain for my bad back, they weren't available in the UK, of 4 parcels only 1 went missing

Thank you all for your messages and advice. I have also spoken to our Pharmacists and she said there would be no problem but suggested I spoke to Canada Post, they also said that as long as they weren't prescription drugs they were OK with me sending them. Thanks Yooung for your link to UK Customs I shall check into that too.
But it is my Grandmother's 90th birthday coming up so the painkillers may just happen to fall into her parcel of presents!

Have a good day everyone.

FS
x

Hi not sure if this is a better option for your dad, but you can buy them on line http://www.discounthealthproducts.co.uk/Tylenol_PM.htm

It would probably cost a fortune for you to post yourself.

Hi Sans,
You are a treasure!
I have emailed the link on to my Dad - he will be so pleased!
Thank you muchly,

FS
xx

I do try

Watch out - that's the wrong link!!! They have a sedative in (antihistamine) and are for taking at night only.

The ones you mentioned are available from the same site, but they're these ones: http://www.discounthealthproducts.co...ritis_pain.htm

Alex