A simple money-saving tip can help you pay significantly less for over-the-counter medications: just check an identification code on the packaging before you go to the checkout.
According to the MoneySavingExpert platform, founded by Martin Lewis, many people end up buying more expensive tablets just because of the brand name, even though there is a completely identical alternative at a much lower price.
The secret lies in a nine-digit licensing code, known as a PL number, which is usually found on the back of the packaging. This number indicates that the medicine is the same – not just in terms of active ingredient, but as a complete product – even if the packaging and brand are different.
According to MoneySavingExpert, some pills can cost almost half the price of their "twins" simply because they are sold under a different name. The advice is also included in the platform's latest newsletter, dedicated to cheap or free medicines.
The topic has also been covered on TV shows. In an appearance on This Morning, Martin Lewis explained that if two products have the same PL number, they are exactly the same medicine, regardless of brand. He pointed out that pharmaceutical companies spend millions to convince consumers to buy the “name they know”, but this is often not justified by quality.
As an example, he compared a product that cost around 5.80 euros with another alternative of just 2.15 euros, both with the same PL code. “This happens everywhere,” he stressed, underlining that the price differences are unjustified.
The advice was well-received on social media, especially on Facebook, where the video garnered thousands of likes and comments. Several users who work or have worked in pharmacies said they often suggested cheaper versions to customers, but many were hesitant to buy them, believing that only branded drugs work.
One commenter wrote that in some cases the price difference can reach up to 14 euros, while another indicated that he had stopped buying expensive seasonal allergy tablets and was now using a cheaper alternative, with the same PL code, that cost around 1 euro per box.
The message is clear: before you pay more for over-the-counter drugs, check the PL number on the packaging. You may find that you are buying the exact same product – but at a much lower price. /GazetaExpress/
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