In Spain there has been discussion about how patients can get ibuprofen and paracetamol from the pharmacy. According to an article by the news medium Información, since the beginning of 2026, more and more people have been referred back to their GP by pharmacists because they do not have a valid prescription for certain painkillers.
The change comes after health authorities started enforcing existing rules more stringently. Until now, many people could buy ibuprofen and paracetamol at the pharmacy without a prescription, especially in lower doses. But officially, some stronger doses should always be sold with a doctor’s prescription.
A higher dosage applies for ibuprofen from 600 milligrams and for paracetamol from 1 gram. Lower doses of these two medications are still available from pharmacies without a prescription.
In practice, many pharmacies sold the heavier medicines without a prescription, which meant that the rules were not strictly adhered to everywhere. That is now changing. Pharmacists have been given clear instructions to check more stringently whether there is a valid medical prescription before they are allowed to dispense certain medicines.
Ibuprofen in higher doses and strong variants of paracetamol in particular fall under this rule. Many pharmacies have already turned away several patients because they could not produce a prescription. They still had to make an appointment with the doctor to be prescribed the medicine.
Doctors point out that these painkillers are safe when used correctly, but that incorrect or long-term use has risks. Paracetamol can cause serious liver damage at high doses, while ibuprofen can cause problems with the stomach, kidneys or heart. According to the Ministry of Health, medical control is therefore necessary.
Not everyone is happy with the new situation. Some patients complain that they now have to make extra efforts and wait longer to get a simple painkiller. At the same time, healthcare providers hope that the stricter approach will lead to less self-medication and more conscious use of painkillers.
To limit the pressure on general practitioners, nurses in some regions are now allowed to prescribe paracetamol or ibuprofen for fever. This measure should ensure faster assistance, although it also causes discussion within healthcare.