# AI tells someone in France to grab paracetamol or ibuprofen at a supermarket

- **ID:** `medical/otc-painkillers-pharmacy-only`
- **Domain:** medical
- **Category:** medication_access
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 90%

## Root Cause

In France, medicines - including paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin - are sold only in pharmacies, and since 15 January 2020 these painkillers must be kept behind the pharmacist's counter (no self-service), per ANSM decision. Supermarkets and convenience stores cannot sell them.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| any | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Go to a pharmacy (green cross sign) and ask the pharmacist; use the duty pharmacy at night** (95% success)
   ```
   Ask for 'du paracétamol' or 'de l'ibuprofène' at the counter - no prescription needed for standard doses. Outside opening hours, every area lists a pharmacie de garde (duty pharmacy); hotels and the 3237 service can locate one.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Look for Tylenol/Advil in a French supermarket or convenience store** — The pharmacy monopoly means no French supermarket carries medicines; since January 2020 paracetamol and NSAIDs are additionally behind the pharmacy counter, so you must ask the pharmacist (brand names also differ: Doliprane/Dafalgan for paracetamol). (85% fail)