This petition exists due to an extremely personal, heartbreaking experience. In December 2024, my 15-year-old daughter took an overdose of paracetamol. It is a tragedy that the early symptoms of paracetamol overdosing remain largely hidden, and by the time we realised, it was too late and despite the professionals at Kings Hospital; they were unable to save Alice, and she passed away.

This is a plea, not only for my daughter, but for every other child, every other person who sees paracetamol as readily available, seemingly harmless medication stocked in every home and supermarket. The reality is, these pills are not that innocent. Contrary to popular belief, paracetamol is one of the most common medications involved in overdoses (BMJ Publishing Group 2018), and can lead to liver damage, liver failure, or even death.

Thousands of people are admitted to hospital every year with a paracetamol overdose. With hundreds dying.

This accessibility needs to change. It's unconscionable that paracetamol is shelved within anyone’s reach in supermarkets, oftentimes at the bottom, easily accessible to unknowing children. We implore supermarkets and pharmaceutical regulatory bodies to reconsider their distribution methods.

Therefore, help us call for paracetamol to be removed from general store shelves and placed behind the counter of a pharmacy where it can be dispensed under the supervision of a pharmacist. It is through these simple changes that we might prevent the abuse of these tablets and possibly save lives.

Your signature could help prevent another tragic loss like ours. We urge you: stand with us, sign this petition, and let’s strive to bring about this change together.