Woman left speechless by medicine prices in the UK — and it's a reality check for Americans

Prices for different utilities vary from country to country based on their pricing structures, government policies, and more. However, some things can be so drastically distinct that they leave a person completely shocked. An American woman who moved to the UK experienced something similar when she saw the prices of certain common medicines in the country compared to the US. The woman, who goes by @ukshineon on Instagram, shared the surprising prices of medicine in the UK through her viral video.

"You know you are in the UK when you go to Boots, which is like Shoppers Drug Mart, which is like Walgreens for my people on the other side of the pond," she explained. "You go to get some Paracetamol and some Ibuprofen, okay, Tylenol or Advil. Check out the price, look." She showed a shelf full of medicines, and the local medicine was priced at £0.49 ($0.63) for Paracetamol and £0.55 for Ibuprofen ($0.71). "What?" the woman exclaimed as she checked the prices of the medicines at the store. "The only thing is that you are only allowed to get a certain amount. Like, I need to get a couple of different things for a couple of different people, so I am hoping that they are going to allow me to buy more than one packet."

She explained that people come to check what a person is buying and approve it at the checkout in the UK when it comes to medicines like Tylenol and Advil. "There's a limit on how many you can buy, which is really silly because people can just go from store to store to store and buy more. But that's the rule here." She added, "But so dang cheap, wow." The caption read, "How much does this cost where you're from?" People in the comments expressed their thoughts on the price difference.

@are_we_even_running_mummy_ wrote, "Welcome to the civilized world, where healthcare is affordable and a universal right, not designed to bankrupt you or hook you on hard d***s." @mattdoc1979 remarked, "From the European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy–'In 1998, the UK introduced legislation limiting the pack size of Paracetamol and Aspirin sold outside pharmacies, reducing it from 25 to 16 tablets or capsules. A review of 17 studies confirmed that this measure significantly reduced poisoning cases, particularly those related to self-harm.'"

@simplyessential.UK shared, "It has to do with the patent laws. Once a patent expires (20 years), it becomes generic, allowing anyone to make it, hence why it's now very cheap." @bubblicious34 expressed, "I'm in the US. I bought 200 Ibuprofen (400mg) for $10. 400mg is only available on prescription in the UK. Same with antihistamines. I bought a whole year (365) for $9 in Walmart. In the UK, it's £3+ ($3.87) for a month." @reusablelight commented, "Paracetamol is viewed as a joke drug, but it is, in fact, ridiculously strong. Take too many, and it's the last headache you'll have. That's why there's a 2 pack limit. It's a suicide prevention measure." 

A study by RAND found that prescription drug prices were significantly higher in America than in other countries, averaging 2.78 times higher than in 33 other nations. 

You can follow @ukshineon on Instagram for more lifestyle content.