Codeine rules a bitter pill

PRODUCTS such as Panadeine and Nurofen Plus will now require new labelling and prescriptions to help stop people from abusing codeine products.

A BUNDABERG pharmacist has welcomed a change to the scheduling of codeine painkillers, which will see products such as Panadeine and Nurofen Plus require new labelling and prescriptions.

Chemist Warehouse owner Matt Hughes said while the new rules would create more work for pharmacists and doctors, it was necessary to stop people from abusing codeine products.

“There is definitely a problem with people misusing it,” Mr Hughes said.

“Most people do it inadvertently, but there are a number of people taking it for the wrong reasons.”

The new rules mean from May 1, users will need to consult with a pharmacist to determine if they require a product with codeine, while packs containing more than five days’ worth of tablets will now need a prescription from a GP.

Mr Hughes said he expected the decision would annoy many customers.

“It will upset a lot of people, but we are here to promote health so that is what we are going to do,” he said. Mr Hughes said codeine use could hide a more menacing ailment in long-term users.

“They could be masking pain, but it may be something more sinister than what they think,” he said.

“A doctor should be diagnosing these people, rather than them doing it themself.”

Mr Hughes said misdiagnosis by a patient taking codeine could lead to liver problems.

“Overall, this change is a good thing,” he said.

“It will add to our workloads and decrease sales but it will allow us to monitor how much people are taking and keep them from misdiagnosing themselves.”

The pharmacist said the changes would be sure to affect sales.

“From a business perspective, we will lose money, but we have a duty of care to our customers,” he said.

“We could think we are giving them something to help relieve their pain, but it is slowly hurting them and that’s not on.”

Mr Hughes said he expected demand for the products to drop when the rules came into effect on May 1.

“Last year, when antihistamines for babies went to prescription only, the demand dropped ridiculously,” he said.

“There’s a good chance that will happen with these as well.”

Originally published as Codeine rules a bitter pill