Pharmacists welcome codeine guidelines
Monday, 23 August 2010 15:52The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland has said new guidelines on the supply of codeine medicines to patients are an important step in protecting public health.
The pharmacy regulator said that it was pleased with the implementation to date of the new system, which came into effect at the start of this month.
Non-prescription medicines containing codeine are now held behind the counter and customers seeking these popular products are now asked about the request by the pharmacist, to reduce the risk of addiction.
Last year, over 420,000 prescriptions for codeine medicine were issued for people with medical cards, or under the drugs payments scheme.
The PSI says codeine medicines should only be used when considered necessary and for the shortest period possible.
The Irish Patients' Association said the provision of codeine medicines on a prescription only basis, as is the case in other countries, should be examined.
Stephen McMahon of the IPA said people addicted to codeine should also be supported in seeing their GP to try and break the habit.
He also warned that some patients may become medical tourists, going from pharmacy to pharmacy, to build up their supply, because of the new regulations.
