We take Panadol, which is like a candy, whenever something goes wrong. Panadol is like Pakistan’s national medicine: if you have a headache, it will cure; if you have a stomachache, it will help; if your body aches after a fun hike with your friends, it will help you get ready for your next trip.
The over-the-counter (OTC) medication paracetamol, which is widely used and in high demand due to the increase in dengue and coronavirus cases as well as waterborne diseases brought on by the monsoon floods, is currently in very short supply in Pakistan.
As a result, there is a national Panadol shortage, and people are searching for alternatives as it is getting more difficult to obtain the medication.
Paracetamol is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) — a leading drug manufacturer in Pakistan — under the brand name ‘Panadol’.
Unfortunately, due to the flooding and poor economy, Panadol production was stopped in Pakistan, and the market is currently short. There are more cases of dengue, it’s necessary for flood victims, and many need it but don’t know what alternatives there are. Here is a list of some alternatives that you can buy to treat yourself.
| Brand Name | Manufacturer | Dosage (mg) | Retail Price |
| Askprol | Askari Pharmaceuticals | 500 | Rs. 100 |
| Calpol (200 pack) | GSK | 500 | Rs. 312 |
| Disprol | Reckitt Benckiser (RB) Pakistan | 500 | Rs. 180 |
| Doliprane | Sanofi Aventis | 500 | Rs. 100 |
| Paracetamol | Ferozsons Laboratories | 500 | Rs. 129 |
| Pracmol | Glitz Pharma | 500 | Rs. 460 |
| Vamol | Valor Pharmaceuticals | 500 | Rs. 100 |
| Boschtamol | Bosch Pharmaceuticals | 500 | Rs. 70 |
Here is the list of alternatives to Panadol’s pediatric dosage in Pakistan.
| Brand Name | Manufacturer | Dosage (mg) | Retail Price |
| Calpol Pediatric (90 ml) | GSK | 120mg/5ml | Rs. 46 |
| Askprol | Askari Pharma | 120mg/5ml | Rs. 15 |
| Paracetamol (450ml) | Ferozsons Pharma | 120mg/5ml | Rs. 56 |
| Pracmol (60 ml) | Glitz Pharma | 120mg/5ml | Rs. 25 |
Experts believe that Panadol’s excessive demand, which has affected production, is the main cause of the current scarcity.
According to journalist Ali Khizar, GSK produces more than 450 million Panadol tablets each month. Because the company’s manufacturing costs are higher than the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) established by the government, it has reduced output to a very low level, which has led to its scarcity.
