There are significant differences between US and UK healthcare, most notably that we receive universal healthcare unlike our American counterparts. 

The same applies within pharmacy, and one doctor from the UK has posted a TikTok reaction to products she was surprised to see with over the counter (OTC) availability, or available in such vast quantities in the US. 

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While in Florida, Dr Mim filmed a video in a CVS pharmacy and immediately saw two packs of ibuprofen taped together to combine for a 1000 pill purchase. 

CVS’ website shows the availability of this twin pack for under $30, compared to the UK where you can only buy 32 tables from two packs of 16 in one purchase as guidance states. 

Later on in the video, Mim picks out acetaminophen which is also available in large quantities. 

@dr__mim took a trip to CVS pharmacy in america to see all the medications we cant get in the UK #doctor #doctorsoftiktok #physician #america #cvs #cvspharmacy #onlyinamerica #medication #meds #pharmacy #usavsuk #haul ♬ original sound - dr mim

“They have this acetaminophen, which is basically the same active ingredient that we have in paracetamol. Here you can get 500 capsules, which is just crazy. It's just crazy that you can buy like this much all in one,” Mim says. 

She highlights naproxen as another item she’s surprised to see, as it’s an ingredient in the Aleve product she picks up.  

“I found is this stuff which has naproxen which is like a super strong anti-inflammatory. We have to be quite careful who we give it to in the UK, because it can cause bleeds in your stomach and here you can just buy it.” 

POMs only for the UK 

Mim uncovers a lot of UK prescription-only medication that is available as over the counter medication in the CVS pharmacy. 

First, she spots melatonin gummies, a product that helps to “control your sleep cycle”, according to the NHS. 

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Mim says “really, the recommended max dose we give people for insomnia in the UK is two milligrams”.  

“Here, gummies are 10 milligrams just over the counter, which I think is just kind of crazy, because people might not necessarily know the side effects and things of all this.” 

A proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to reduce the amount of acid in stomachs was also found but only the capsules are available in the UK on prescription only. 

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She also saw CVS own brand antibiotic and pain relief ointment to purchase over the counter, even though in the UK antibiotics are prescription only. 

“It has trimethoprim, and you cannot buy antibiotics over the counter or without prescription in the UK. So that's kind of strange.” 

Mim found other products, but was also surprised to see oral contraception pills available to buy over the counter, but now in the UK some pharmacies offer the pills without needing a prescription. 

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She advised viewers “obviously, it's up to you guys what you do”.  

“I wouldn't necessarily recommend or not recommend these things, just it's interesting to see what they have. And I'm kind of shocked at some of the things they have here that is prescription only in the UK, but sometimes for good reason. 

“But hey, welcome to America!”