Ibuprofen and the like are also available from the supermarket in most of Europe. Codeine and the like are not, as they're prescription only but it's not a big trip to go to a pharmacy anywhere.
I live in Europe now, but lived in the US before. The difference is that buying medications is part of weekly grocery shopping in the US more or less. It is also how it is advertised all over the place. Besides, many medications that are prescription here (or are just smaller doses) are available in large doses in the US in grocery stores.
That's bizarre and not at all a part of my experience in the US. I go to the supermarket when I need things. If one of those things happens to be a medication (because I have an immediate need for it), then I'll buy it. Otherwise, I won't.
