Was Calpol suspension licensed in Portugal in 2007?

[ShiningInLuz]

To help, here is some information from a Portuguese expat forum:

pois 

 Post subject: Re: Is Calpol actually illegal in Portugal?

PostPosted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 3:28 pm 

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Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2010 8:11 am
Posts: 28
Location: central portugal   

I've had visitors that have brought calpol sachets with them from the UK. You can buy infant paracetamol in chemists here if you're concerned. The brand name is benuron and it comes in a syrup and as a suppository (bit weird at first but is so much easier for the under ones).

More info here

http://www.bene-arzneimittel.de/en/health/brand-products/ben-u-ron

Helps us with ben-u-ron.  But note your expat does not say you can buy Calpol - you can buy ben-u-ron.

[Alfie]

OK, you're caught in possession of Calpol in Portugal, an infant paracetamol suspension identical in content to Ben-U-ron but never mind the Portuguese have a problem with Calpol for some reason.  What next? What charges are brought against you? 

[Mr Gray]

Calpol is not legal in Portugal. 

I don't care what it is or is not, nor do I care about the drug laws in Portugal, given that these are not relevant.

What you take is up to you.  What you give your kids isn't.

I can give my children Calpol in portugal....might be best just to admit your mistake

[ShiningInLuz]

OK, you're caught in possession of Calpol in Portugal, an infant paracetamol suspension identical in content to Ben-U-ron but never mind the Portuguese have a problem with Calpol for some reason.  What next? What charges are brought against you?

Why do you think Ben-U-Ron and Calpol are identical?  I would assume both are trade names or whatever and so have some difference.  Does Ben-U-Ron have a reputation for overdosing, as the Wiki cite alleges Calpol does?

[ShiningInLuz]

I can give my children Calpol in portugal....might be best just to admit your mistake

You can give your children any drug you like, whether in Portugal or otherwise.  It does not make it legal.

[Mr Gray]

You can give your children any drug you like, whether in Portugal or otherwise.  It does not make it legal.

I can give my child calpol in portugal and you have supplied no information to back up your claim that it is illegal....your posts are still there...it is not illegal

[Alfie]

Why do you think Ben-U-Ron and Calpol are identical?  I would assume both are trade names or whatever and so have some difference.  Does Ben-U-Ron have a reputation for overdosing, as the Wiki cite alleges Calpol does?

A reputation for over-dosing?  That doesn't make any sense.  If you mean is it possible to administer an overdose of Ben-U-Ron, of course it is, as with any medication!

[Alfie]

You can give your children any drug you like, whether in Portugal or otherwise.  It does not make it legal.

LOL.  So there's no law against giving my child Calpol or even heroin in Portugal if I so choose.  But Calpol is illegal.  That makes a huge amount of sense.  Not.

[ShiningInLuz]

LOL.  So there's no law against giving my child Calpol or even heroin in Portugal if I so choose.  But Calpol is illegal.  That makes a huge amount of sense.  Not.

Since I said the exact opposite, what should I do. ROFL?

[Alfie]

Holy crap, looks like Shining is on to something...

http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Calpol

Criminalisation of Calpol[edit]

It was Boudicca who first launched a War on Calpol on 1887, followed by other Prime Ministers Thomas the Tank Engine, Chucky from Rugrats and Gary Neville Chamberlain. Current PM David Cameron has vowed to sort out the ever growing scourge of housing estates being overrun with 3 year old calpol addicts ruining the lives of innocent working people. However, it is thought he too has a major calpol problem ever since he had a fried bottle of Calpol when his local chippy in Glasgow ran out of Mars Bars, although it is believed he has received a few slippery backhanders from Calpol Mafia Ltd, the cartel running the calpol racket to make sure they keep their grubby mitts on the lucrative trade.

Sinister use of Calpol by politicians[edit]

As a result, Calpol is often thought as a state sponsored instrument of repression, used with the blessing of the powers that be to sabotage popular movements that undermine the ruling class. The most infamous use of Calpol was during the Miners Strike in 1985 when Margaret Thatcher allowed the Calpol Mafia Ltd. to work with MI5 to poison the miners. Arthur Scargill had his grog spiked with calpol which led to him having a bad trip during the Battle of Orgreave where he streaked in front of the police with The magenta grass is plotting to kill me with a combine harvester tattooed on his arse. He was later arrested when he was later caught copulating with a police horse.

Calpol has also been linked to the poisoning of the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest judging panel which allowed Cheryl Baker to rig the votes in favour of Bucks Fizz. This was cited as a critical moment in the build up to the 1982 Falkland's War as Argentinian General Leopoldo Galtieri had £400 on the German entry Lena Valaitis who came second. Had he won (the dosh that is), he still would have flashing eyes and hair that twirls. That is because you can buy it at some jokeshop in Massachusettes.

[Mr Gray]

you are very confused and are losing credibility....who says calpol is not legal in portugal..it is a ridiculous statement and you have been unable to provide a cite..

[John]

Some things must be put into perspective on this subject.  As I understand it all pharmaceuticals have to be licenced for retailing purposes by the relevant authority in every country. That in itself does not render their use illegal.  The illegality as I see it is in retailing a product which isn't licenced.

If a tourist purchased a Calpol product outside Portugal for use while on holiday inside Portugal, I don't see that as illegal or am I missing something?  I am open to persuasion.

[Alfie]

If Calpol is illegal what charges and punishments can be brought to bear on someone found using it in Portugal?  Have you examples of cases of illegal Calpol use that have made the papers over there?  Let's start seeing some hard evidence to back up your assertions!

[Alfie]

Calpol is a brand name.  The active ingredient in Calpol is paracetamol, as it is in other infant fever and cold medicinal syrups, such as Ben-u-ron, widely available in Portugal.  What has Calpol got in it, in addition to paracetamol (which is legal in Portugal) which makes it an illegal substance in Portugal?  Answers on a postcard please....

[John]

Members might feel differently about giving Calpol to their children after reading this...

snip

CALPOL  -  What Every Parent Should Know

Here, in brief, is why I don’t use Calpol and will never recommend it. For further information, please see ‘Behind the Label’.

You see, apart from paracetamol, Calpol also contains a few other ingredients. These include:

• strawberry ‘flavouring’ & carmoisine to produce its pink colour. (Chemical compound E122- suspected carcinogen, banned in Austria, Japan, Norway, Sweden and the US and not recommended for consumption by children) .
• the paraben preservatives methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218 - suspected hormone disruptor and allergen. Banned in France and Australia) and E122. Note that both these substances have been linked to hyperactivity, and the Hyperactive Children’s Support Group identifies them as likely causes of mysterious and sudden cases of ADHD-like hyperactivity. They too say these substances are not recommended to be consumed by children.
• Maltitol (a mild laxative)
• Glycerol (E422 - large quantities can cause headaches, thirst and nausea)
• Sorbitol (E420 - There are no limits to the intake of E420; however, its use is actually prohibited for infants younger than 1 year of age, as it may cause severe diarrhoea).
• Propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E216 - suspected hormone disruptor and allergen. Not recommended for consumption by children . Possible contact allergen. Not permitted for use in France or Australia)
• Ethyl parahydroxybenzoate (E214 - suspected hormone disruptor, banned in France and Australia. Not recommended for consumption by children)
• A thickener – xanthan gum (E415- no known adverse effects)

Unfortunately, Calprofen, the Ipubrofen alternative, is hardly any better.

http://www.diaryofafirstchild.com/2010/04/20/calpol-what-every-parent-should-know/