Tighter Controls on Codeine
TIGHTER controls on over-the-counter painkillers containing codeine will come into effect from May next year, but pharmacists say the changes will only mask the problem of people abusing the drugs. The National Drugs and Poisons Schedule Committee (NDPSC) has confirmed that codeine combination products will become “pharmacist only” for dispensing.
The recommended daily dose will be set at 100mg of codeine and the maximum pack size limited to five days’ supply. Cough and cold preparations are to be excluded from the changes. The move is in response to community concern surrounding the abuse of, and addiction to, common but potent painkillers.
High use of codeine has been linked to serious side-effects including perforated stomach ulcers, renal failure and even death. The committee noted that making codeine combinations Schedule 3 drugs could increase costs, but suggested “questions of cost were not a directly relevant consideration for a scheduling decision”.
It said requiring buyers to speak to a pharmacist could be “a significant trigger for addicts to eventually seek help”. But the Pharmacy Guild of Australia says the committee’s decision is not the solution and will only mask abuse. “These changes alone are unlikely to influence individual misuse behaviour,” guild president Kos Sclavos said. Those who want Codeine badly enough can simply buy online.
“The shift to `pharmacist only’ … and to smaller pack sizes will only see some at-risk people move to multiple packs and resort to pharmacy shopping.” The guild had wanted the committee to introduce real-time monitoring and reporting of sales of codeine combinations from local pharmacies, as is done with pseudoephedrine.