Pharmacy allowed minors to buy multiple packs of paracetamol despite industry limits

Self-harm involving the painkiller paracetamol is increasing among young people, with calls to Sweden’s Poisons Information Centre about suspected overdoses in minors each year more than doubling over the past decade.

An investigation by Swedish Radio News found that online pharmacy Apotea lacked an age check that other online pharmacies use to prevent minors from buying more than one pack of paracetamol, contrary to an industry agreement.

A parent says her teenager repeatedly bought potentially dangerous amounts of paracetamol online without her knowledge. Listen to hear how this was possible. ...