IT’S the time of year when many of us are reaching for the tissues – with large amounts of pollen causing our hayfever to go into overdrive.
But before visiting your chemist, it’s worth thinking about what hayfever treatment to use and where’s the cheapest place to get it.
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Hayfever sufferers can pay up to four times as much for the same pills depending on where they shop – even if they go for “cheap” own-brand versions.
Own-label tablets sold in most major supermarkets and chemists have identical formulas, which you can work out by looking at the product licence (PL) number, the code given to particular drugs.
The medicines may appear in different packaging depending on where you buy it, and may have slightly varied colours or markings.
But, if the PL numbers match, it’s the same drug and will have the same effect.
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We looked at the prices of two key hayfever medicines which are produced as own-brand versions for various supermarket chains or generic versions for sale in chemists.
One drug containing 10mg of Loratadine – PL number 16028/0080 – is available for 6p each in Aldi, in packs of 14 for 79p, but also for 20p each in Boots, in 30-packs for £5.99.
You can get them for 5p each from expresschemist.co.uk under the name “Numark one-a-day allergy tablets” in packets of 60.
The other key hayfever drug – cetirizine hydrochloride, which is also an antihistamine – is sold in a variety of guises with the product code 16028/0067.
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Packs of 14 cost £1.50, or 10.7p each, from Spar shops, but £5.99, or 20p each, as Boots’ 30-packs of hayfever and allergy relief tabs.
We have compared like for like where possible, although some retailers only produce the pills in boxes of 14, while some only do 30.
Generally it’s cheaper to buy bigger packs, or bulk-buy from an online chemist if you know you’ll get through a lot in the warmer months.
Campaigners say it’s important to look at the packaging to see what’s in the tablets and whether they have the same product licence number.
You can’t always work this out online, but you should see it on the packaging in the shops.
Dr José Costa, a senior paediatric allergy consultant for thechildrensallergy.co.uk service, said of the two drugs: “If the PL codes are the same, the dose and ingredients are identical, therefore the effect on allergy relief will also be exactly the same.
“So it’s worth looking at the codes to check you’re paying the best price.”
Oli Townsend, assistant deals editor at MoneySavingExpert, added: “This happens across many medications where prices totally differ for the exact same tablets, so it’s important to be vigilant and check the PL number to ensure you’re not just paying extra for prettier packaging.
“Even if PL numbers don’t match, you can slash the cost of tablets by looking where the active ingredient is the same – that’s the key ingredient that matters – the rest are largely irrelevant, unless you have allergies.
“You can opt for a cheaper unbranded or own-brand tablet over one of the more expensive big brands with the same active ingredient that’ll do the same thing.”
Branded versions of the drugs are generally dearer, although not always.
Loratadine is the active ingredient of Clarityn, which sells for £11.10 for a pack of 30 from Sainsbury’s, or 37p each.
Piriteze tabs contains 10mg of Cetirizine hydrochloride, but cost 38p each from Boots.
A Boots spokesperson said: “At Boots we offer a wide range of hay fever medicines, including own brand products, at a range of price points.
“Our pharmacy team members are available in stores to help customers find the right solutions for them.
“We regularly run promotions on hayfever products and our Advantage Card members can unlock 10% off Boots own brand.”
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Boots’ cheapest hay fever medicine per tablet is a generic medicine from Bell’s Healthcare, priced at £2.75 for a pack of 30 tablets, or 9p per tablet.
The Sun contacted all other retailers for comment.
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