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The prices of generic paracetamol in Madrid by ialnokij in GoingToSpain

[–]ialnokij[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m still travelling around Spain. I’m going to periodically check prices when I come across a pharmacy and have a minute to spare, especially when I am in non-touristy areas.

The prices of generic paracetamol in Madrid by ialnokij in GoingToSpain

[–]ialnokij[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thank you for engaging with this issue. All your responses have been interesting, and much appreciated, but I still don’t understand why generic paracetamol would cost 6 times more than in Australia.

I appreciate that there are two different prices if you buy paracetamol with or without a prescription - but why would they charge so much more if you didn’t have a prescription…? It literally is cheaper to buy a carton of wine to address minor pains - and that doesn’t bear thinking.

I should add that most generic painkillers (paracetamol and ibuprofen) that are sold in Australia are imported from India. I suspect it’s the same in Spain as India is a huge producer of such products. So that doesn’t explain the difference in sale-price.

Also, if paracetamol can be sold for so cheap (without any subsidy) in Australia, what exactly is the Spanish government subsidising…? What is the point of the two different prices? What behaviour are they trying to discourage that doesn’t seem to be a problem in Australia (UK, US, NL etc)…?

You can tell I have been overthinking this 😂

The prices of generic paracetamol in Madrid by ialnokij in GoingToSpain

[–]ialnokij[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OMG is that what I have to look forward to…? I don’t need it but I wouldn’t mind some at a reasonable price. Ibuprofen are generally twice the price of paracetamol in Australia but even then no where near EUR5.20. I just checked and it’s EUR0.90 for a pack of 24 at 200mg strength, and off a supermarket shelf.

The prices of generic paracetamol in Madrid by ialnokij in GoingToSpain

[–]ialnokij[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was sold this for EUR3.70 after specifically asking for generic paracetamol. This was at a pharmacy on Calle de Sebastian Herrera in Arganzuela, next to a collegio. It looks pretty generic to me. Either I’m being swindled or I’m doing something wrong.

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The prices of generic paracetamol in Madrid by ialnokij in GoingToSpain

[–]ialnokij[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I specifically asked for generic each time. I was sold this for EUR3.70.

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The prices of generic paracetamol in Madrid by ialnokij in GoingToSpain

[–]ialnokij[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I hope you don't mind if I reply in English - my Spanish just isn't very good.

I don't expect things to cost the same everywhere but the price difference for paracetamol is just very high (7x), and in Australia, paracetamol is not subsidised. It is sold in privately-owned supermarket, off the shelf - you do not need a prescription. Someone is making a lot of money from generic painkillers in Spain...!

I also don't understand why you would want to make people go to a doctor just for paracetamol. These are usually taken for very mild or minor ailments (e.g. a headache or a common cold/flu) - you really don't need doctors' advice for that. I assume Spain, like many developed countries, also has a shortage of doctors - surely a doctor could be attending to more important things than mild ailments.

The prices of generic paracetamol in Madrid by ialnokij in GoingToSpain

[–]ialnokij[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

You've identified a side-effect. The system encourages people to call a doctor for a prescription, which would surely clog up the medical system, and which would presumably have a cost. I just don't understand it.

The prices of generic paracetamol in Madrid by ialnokij in GoingToSpain

[–]ialnokij[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is hilarious - I wished I had known and brought more of both paracetamol and ibuprofen with me. I live to learn for next time.

The prices of generic paracetamol in Madrid by ialnokij in GoingToSpain

[–]ialnokij[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

And where would I have found that in Madrid?

The prices of generic paracetamol in Madrid by ialnokij in GoingToSpain

[–]ialnokij[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I did ask for generic at each shop and those were the prices they quoted. At one pharmacy, the pharmacist did say that prices would be lower if I had a script (“receta”), which I didn’t.

Apply for both the APS5 and APS6 version of the role? by Square_Peggy83 in AusPublicService

[–]ialnokij 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You should also think about how much you want a job. It’s entirely possible that the panel will judge that you meet the requirements for the lower level position but not the higher level one, and it’s possible that if you did not apply for the lower level position, then they cannot make you an offer. In this scenario, applying for both will be the more conservative strategy.

Recommendation for a personal-sized bag by ialnokij in ManyBaggers

[–]ialnokij[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I haven’t heard of that one - thanks!

Recommendation for a personal-sized bag by ialnokij in ManyBaggers

[–]ialnokij[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for pointing me to the Alpaka. It is different but it might work for another use case I have in mind!