Cost of non-prescription drugs rockets in a year

The cost of non-prescription drugs has jumped an average of 4.3% in the past year, according to a survey.

The cost of 15 of the most commonly purchased over-the-counter treatments rocketed in 2017, the Observatoire Familles rurales said. It has been tracking the price of the products since 2010.

The organisation said that prices in 40 stores and 43 websites varied wildly. In its most recent price check a bottle of popular eyewash solution Dacryum varied from €1.95 to €8.50; antacid Maalox costs between €2.75 to €9.10; while anyone buying anti-smoking aid Nicopass could be charged from €13.90 to €34.10 a box.

The study found that only two of its tracked products - Immodium and Strepsils - fell in price between October 2016 and October 2017, while the cost of cold-sore treatment Activir jumped 9.8% following a 7.1% price drop in 2016.

While products were generally cheaper in online stores, an average delivery cost of €5.92 would put off prospective purchasers, the Observatoire said in Le Parisien.