The Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved Nuromol, a medicine that contains 200mg of ibuprofen and 500mg of paracetamol per tablet, for sale without the need to visit a pharmacy.
The MHRA’s decision to reclassify this product followed a review by the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) and a public consultation. The CHM advises ministers on the safety, efficacy and quality of medicinal products.
Dr Sarah Branch, Director of Vigilance and Risk Management of Medicines at the MHRA, said: "This reclassification to general sales list will help people to manage their pain where paracetamol or ibuprofen alone have not provided adequate pain relief.
"Wider availability of medicinal products and improved patient access and choice remain high on the health agenda. The MHRA is committed to improving access to medicinal products for self-care where it is safe to do so."
Nuromol is used for the temporary relief of mild to moderate pain associated with migraine, headache, backache, period pain, dental pain, rheumatic and muscular pain, pain of non-serious arthritis, cold and flu symptoms, sore throat, and fever when paracetamol or ibuprofen alone have not provided adequate pain relief.
While most people can take paracetamol, ibuprofen is not suitable for everyone, and it is also important that people do not exceed the recommended dose of 1 or 2 tablets not more than 3 times a day. Patients are also advised not to take more than one paracetamol-containing medicine at the same time.
