Dr Mim paid a visit to a branch of the CVS pharmaceutical chain and couldn’t believe what was available to purchase without a prescription or consultation with a doctor
We all know the healthcare systems in the UK and the US differ significantly – but ever wondered how the two countries’ pharmacies contrast too?
A British doctor went to see for herself as she paid a visit to a CVS Pharmacy branch in Florida whist holidaying across the pond. Dr Mim, who specialises in obstetrics and gynaecology took to TikTok to reveal her findings, showcasing what can be bought over the counter in America that can’t be back home.
Upon entering the store, Mim immediately noticed packs of 1,000 ibuprofen tablets – in stark contrast to the 16 or 32 packs on sale in the UK. She also highlighted naproxen, which she described as a “super-strong anti-inflammatory”, adding that doctors in the UK have to be careful when prescribing due to its potential to cause bleeding in the stomach.
Mim also noted freely available melatonin gummies. “They help you sleep and are only available via a prescription in the UK,” she said. “We prescribe 2mg to help with insomnia, but here they have 10mg gummies over the counter.”
Omeprazole was next on Mim’s list – another item she says is unavailable at home without a prescription. “Here you can just get it randomly,” she continued, before highlighting similar medication on the shelves to treat heartburn.
Mim then spotted an antibiotic and pain relief medicine used to treat ailments such as bug bites, which contains trimethoprim. “As far as I’m aware you cannot buy antibiotics without a prescription in the UK, so that’s kind of strange,” she said.
Next up was paracetamol – or acetaminophen as it is known in the US. “The most you can get in the UK is 18 [tablets] in a pack and you’re usually limited to two packs,” Mim explained. “But here you can get 500 capsules, which is crazy – that’s 250 doses.”
Closing, Mim highlighted you can buy contraceptive pills over the counter too without consultation with a doctor or a prescription, meanwhile. Her video prompted a huge reaction – viewed more than two million times.
One irate fellow Brit penned in response: “The fact that they can just BUY antibiotics makes me inexplicably angry.” A second added: “I think we should definitely be allowed to buy antibiotics in the UK, getting antibiotics is like gold dust when people genuinely need them and they’re no prescribed properly.”
However, a third TikTok user warned against such freedoms: “My mum bought painkillers from CVS when we were in New York for her sciatica – took two tablets (assuming they were a brand-name ibuprofen as the price was comparable) – turns out they were naproxen and she was really unwell for the evening! The medication epidemic in the States is hugely concerning! People want to take a pill for everything!”
Whilst a fourth person said you have to take the rough with the smooth sometimes: “In the UK it doesn’t cost us to see a doctor to get the prescriptions. So I can see why they’re a bit more available over there.”
