Yesterday, Sunday, the National Association of Pharmacists in Algeria warned of the outbreak of a dangerous phenomenon known as the “Paracetamol Challenge”, after it monitored its spread disturbingly through the “Tik Talk” platform and other social media platforms, warning of its dangerous health consequences, especially among adolescents.
This challenge – which was launched from foreign countries and recently spread in Algeria – is based on excessive doses of Paracetamol, which is usually used as a pain and antipyretic, in individual, unsweetened parades without any medical supervision, which endangers the lives of the participants.
Critical consequences
The association emphasized that excessive doses of paracetamol may lead to:
- Acute poisoning in the liver
- Chloe and Benkaryasi failed
- Death within hours in some cases
She explained that the toxic dose of paracetamol may vary according to the weight of a person and his health condition, but the random handling – especially by adolescents – poses an imminent danger, given the absence of awareness and supervision.
Official move and awareness campaigns
In a related context, the Algerian Ministry of National Education announced its deep concern about the spread of the phenomenon inside schools, and issued official correspondence to the directors of educational institutions inviting them to launch awareness -raising campaigns for students and parents.
In turn, the Consumer Protection Organization issued a strongly worded statement, in which this phenomenon was considered “exotic and alien to Algerian society”, stressing that preserving the soul is one of the purposes of Sharia, and a demand to tighten control over the sale of paracetamol, especially for those without the legal age.
In a statement to “Al -Jazeera Net”, the National Coordinator of the Algerian Organization for Consumer Protection, Fadi Tamim, stressed the need to prevent the sale of this drug without a prescription, and to educate pharmacists about the seriousness of the phenomenon.
Preventive procedures to reduce the phenomenon
The authorities decided to tighten control over the sale of medicines, especially paracetamol in pharmacies, and pursue accounts that promote to challenge communication platforms, as well as launch awareness campaigns in schools and youth centers on the safe use of medicines.
Parents also called for monitoring their children’s use of social media and speaking with them regularly about the dangers of such challenges, enhancing health awareness in schools, and intensifying psychological and guidance programs for students.
The concerned authorities demanded the communication companies to remove the instigator content, headed by “Tech Talk”, on which toxic challenges spread among adolescents.