UNWELCOME PRECEDENT

Sir, - On the pretext of saving the public from themselves the pharmaceutical industry has succeeded in its campaign to limit…

Sir, - On the pretext of saving the public from themselves the pharmaceutical industry has succeeded in its campaign to limit the sale of paracetamol tablets to 24 at a time.

I would be impressed by the drug companies concern for the welfare of consumers had the drug been taken off the shelves altogether, and made available on prescription only. I do realise, of course, that this was not the object of the exercise. More to the point is the fact that the pre campaign price of paracetamol tablets was £1.48 per 100, whereas the post campaign price is 68p for 24. Profit, rather than concern for consumers, seems to me to have been the essence of this campaign. This is an unwelcome precedent. - Yours, etc., Thorncliffe Park, Orwell Road, Dublin 14