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Follow-up question: why does it seem like some drugs are packaged kinda like candy for the American market? (https://www.google.de/search?q=tylenol&tbm=isch vs. http://www.verschnupft.com/wp-content/uploads/Paracetamol-Ra...)

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I think it's the difference between brand names and non-brand names. Tylenol is a brand-name thus tries to distinguish itself from the generics on the shelf next to it.

This happens in the UK/IE as well.

As a comparison.

Panadol (UK/IE) brand name for acetaminophen: https://www.google.de/search?q=panadol&tbm=isch

Walzyr. US "generic" anti-histamine: https://pics.drugstore.com/prodimg/419979/450.jpg

Claratin. US Brandname anti-histamine: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91rArvDAp9L...

The US also tends not to have true generic drugs, but 'store brand' generics. So a store will carry Tylenol + a single store brand generic, instead of Tylenol + 5 different companies generic brands.

There's off-brand / store-brand drugs that are the same and usually packaged with less marketing, but flashy packaging with name-brand products sell more. They usually charge more too.

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