There has been no rush after drugs with diclofenac in, such as Eeze, Voltaren and Ignorin, it has not been at the hospital pharmacy at USÖ in Örebro.

- No, we haven't noticed anything in particular, says pharmacy manager Lina Selim. But I don't think everyone knows that there are new rules as of Monday.

Increased risk of cardiovascular disease

The reason why capsules and tablets with the active substance become prescription is a study published in 2018.

It shows that the risk of cardiovascular disease such as stroke and heart attack increases with the use of diclofenac - even for shorter periods.

Help find replacement medicine

It will still be possible to buy gels, sprays and patches containing diclofenac as cardiovascular side effects do not increase with products used on the skin.

- The customers who come to us next week and are looking for the tablets will be helped to find other non-prescription preparations or we will guide them to the care in cases where needed, says Lina Selim.

Could it be better

But everything cannot be replaced.

- In some disease states, there are not as good preparations but in others there may be those that are actually better.