Prescription required for Headache tablets - Same in the Uk?

i travel to london a couple of times a month and always get my dad a supply of the strong neurofen tabs for back pain. you take two a day so strong. i just buy a couple of packs in boots, then into superdrug for 2 and off to tesco pharmacy for another couple and there seems to be no prob bringing these in your hand luggage back here. neurofen for back pain still isnt on the market here in ireland for some reason and you can buy neurofen plus off the shelf in tesco in london. no need to go to pharmacy counter. you could also go up north and buy any of these products over the counter so long as you buy no more than 2 in each shop. i also buy calpol etc for all the kids etc as bottle is under 100ml. all this stuff is a pure rip off in this country. the shopping for this stuff really makes my cheap flights to london extra extra good value !
 
I have purchased codeine based pain killers over OTC in Newry no questions asked.