Why do Americans need such large quantities of medicine?

Most Americans can’t walk to the corner shop when they need something small. It’s a drive, and sometimes not a short one. I think that’s where a lot of the “buying in bulk” thing comes from.

There’s a lot of takes on American vs UK healthcare, this really isn’t an important take.

Paracetamol is Acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is the leading cause of drug-induced acute liver failure in the US. Acetaminophen is in Tylenol, Theraflu, NyQuil, and several other drugs you might take all at once if you have so much as common cold symptoms. America does not limit sales to protect its people from overuse of Acetaminophen. We do blame it for causing Autism, though.

Not sure what she’s talking about, I can walk into a pharmacy and buy a 24 count bottle of Aspirin, you have to seek out the 500 count bottles.

most pointless story ever told 

I don't like constantly having to go to the store for one thing so I buy over-the-counter medicine in bulk.

Not everyone is fortunate enough to not have regular need for things like ibuprofen, and many people have families / live in households with multiple people.

Also; being able to buy larger quantities doesn't say anything about the American healthcare system (or at least anything bad); the vast majority of times one would use ibuprofen would be for things that would be ridiculous to go to the doctor for - like a headache.

Wait till she realizes how that's the case with like literally everything in America.

Has she not seen what a large coke in the US is compared to the UK? What about our cars? Maybe a deep fried quadruple donut burger would help her understand Americans like shit more big than necessary.

Their society doesn't buy in bulk to the extent we do, partly because of geography. They still "go round to the shops" on a regular basis, but we stock up because we're farther from everything.

Culturally, we just like excess.

Lots of Americans medicate with OTC because they can't afford a doctors visit.

I am an American and hate our healthcare system, but I don't think this is a problem. I have problems with inflammation, headaches, etc and I get terrible period cramps and aches. I keep a bottle of ibuprofen at work and one at home. It's nice to have it ready whenever needed, and I share with other women when they are in pain on their period, too. This is a weird criticism of our healthcare system imo. It's definitely broken, but not because I can buy a big bottle of ibuprofen at once.