Are Pain Relief Medications Legal in the UK?

Pain relief is a complex, and often emotive topic in the medical industry, and one which needs to be treated with a great deal of care. While there are many different forms of pain relief, the risk of addiction and other negative impacts means that there are a number of restrictions on legal sales in the UK. 

Why are there restrictions on pain relief used in the UK? 

Pain relief misuse is a widely known behavioural pattern that can quickly result in complex and harmful episodes of addiction. This can then lead to physical health effects, mental health issues, and a willingness to put one's life and well-being at risk simply to access more pain relief. Many forms of pain relief are illegal in the UK for this reason, with those that are on sale legally tightly controlled and monitored. 

How much pain relief can you legally buy in the UK? 

The pack size of all forms of pain relief medicine is tightly controlled when on general sale. It is limited to no more than 16 tablets/capsules in settings like supermarkets and general stores. Pharmacies and chemists are allowed to sell users packs containing up to 32 tablets/capsules when dispensed personally by a fully trained and certified pharmacist.

What is the process for determining whether pain relief is legal in the UK? 

In the UK, pain relief medicines must undergo a rigorous vetting and research process overseen by the Department of Health. Factors that are taken into consideration are efficacy (to what extent is the pain relief successful in its primary aim), addiction rates reported by users in other countries, cost-benefit analyses, and comparisons to existing forms of legal pain relief. At all times the focus is on efficacy and safety to ensure that the UK population is able to access pain relief that works with minimal risk. 

What are some examples of pain relief banned in the UK?

In the US there is a major opioid epidemic with large swathes of certain urban areas overtaken by addiction in the last 5-10 years. As such, a larger percentage of these opioid-based painkillers are banned in other countries, including the UK. Because efficacy needs to be weighed up as well as simply the risk of addiction, these decisions are typically reviewed on a rolling basis. 

What types of pain relief are legal in the UK?

General modest levels of pain relief for common ailments like coughs, colds, and headaches are available off the shelf, subject to the size restrictions laid out earlier. In many cases, a prescription is not required and the medicine can be procured in a supermarket.  

Where stronger pain relief is needed, Naproxen is legal to buy in the UK with a prescription. It is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug able to provide stronger pain relief for a wide range of common ailments. If you would like to know whether it is suitable for your current issues, speak with a pharmacist who will be happy to advise you further.