NEWS: smh.com.au- April 14, 2008 - 3:10PM"Plan for painkillers to be on script only"
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/nurofen-scriptonly-plan/2008/04/14/1208025064825.html
Popular painkillers containing codeine could be reclassified prescription-only to stop abuse of the powerful over-the-counter drugs.
A government committee has flagged the possibility of classifying the codeine combination medicines such as Nurofen Plus, a schedule 8, a restricted category for drugs at high risk of being abused.
These drugs, which include morphine, methadone, stimulant medication and some sedatives, are only available on prescription and with tight records on who is accessing them.
But drug experts and doctors say the move would be impractical and inconvenient given codeine abuse is "relatively limited" in Australia.
Painkillers containing ibuprofen and codeine can now be purchased over-the-counter in pharmacies in packs of up to 72 tablets.
The National Drugs and Poisons Scheduling Committee has decided to examine the scheduling of these drugs, including whether a schedule 8 listing is warranted, after fear of growing codeine abuse.
Reports earlier this year claimed that 7000 Australians had joined an online forum since 2003 for people addicted to Nurofen Plus, the strongest codeine tablet available in this country without a prescription.
The forum's founder claimed 5 per cent of the population could be addicted to the pills.
A report from a Melbourne hospital published in the Medical Journal in January said recreational misuse of Nurofen Plus had become a "significant problem".
The committee, in its newly published record of reasons, said it had been told pharmacists were reporting more requests for codeine-combined painkillers not subject to advertising restrictions.
The submission claimed there was a public perception that products that were heavily promoted were not harmful, "thus resulting in increasing pressure on pharmacists to supply".
John Gullotta from the Australian Medical Association said making the drugs prescription only would be an extreme move.
"Schedule 8 is usually reserved for medications that have been abused while they're on prescription, and these medications aren't even on prescription right now," Dr Gullotta said.
Pharmacologist Ric Day, of the University of NSW, agreed, saying while codeine abuse was a concern, it affected relatively few people compared to the vast numbers who would be inconvenienced by a schedule change.
Specialists suggested limiting codeine content, pack sizes and product advertising as more appropriate alternatives to rescheduling.
The committee will consider the issue at its June meeting.
Comment was being sought from Nurofen Plus manufacturer Reckitt Benckiser.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/nurofen-scriptonly-plan/2008/04/14/1208025064825.html
Popular painkillers containing codeine could be reclassified prescription-only to stop abuse of the powerful over-the-counter drugs.
A government committee has flagged the possibility of classifying the codeine combination medicines such as Nurofen Plus, a schedule 8, a restricted category for drugs at high risk of being abused.
These drugs, which include morphine, methadone, stimulant medication and some sedatives, are only available on prescription and with tight records on who is accessing them.
But drug experts and doctors say the move would be impractical and inconvenient given codeine abuse is "relatively limited" in Australia.
Painkillers containing ibuprofen and codeine can now be purchased over-the-counter in pharmacies in packs of up to 72 tablets.
The National Drugs and Poisons Scheduling Committee has decided to examine the scheduling of these drugs, including whether a schedule 8 listing is warranted, after fear of growing codeine abuse.
Reports earlier this year claimed that 7000 Australians had joined an online forum since 2003 for people addicted to Nurofen Plus, the strongest codeine tablet available in this country without a prescription.
The forum's founder claimed 5 per cent of the population could be addicted to the pills.
A report from a Melbourne hospital published in the Medical Journal in January said recreational misuse of Nurofen Plus had become a "significant problem".
The committee, in its newly published record of reasons, said it had been told pharmacists were reporting more requests for codeine-combined painkillers not subject to advertising restrictions.
The submission claimed there was a public perception that products that were heavily promoted were not harmful, "thus resulting in increasing pressure on pharmacists to supply".
John Gullotta from the Australian Medical Association said making the drugs prescription only would be an extreme move.
"Schedule 8 is usually reserved for medications that have been abused while they're on prescription, and these medications aren't even on prescription right now," Dr Gullotta said.
Pharmacologist Ric Day, of the University of NSW, agreed, saying while codeine abuse was a concern, it affected relatively few people compared to the vast numbers who would be inconvenienced by a schedule change.
Specialists suggested limiting codeine content, pack sizes and product advertising as more appropriate alternatives to rescheduling.
The committee will consider the issue at its June meeting.
Comment was being sought from Nurofen Plus manufacturer Reckitt Benckiser.
Not my precious codeine!!
Hmmmm...obvious something like this would happen eventually. Oh well...looks like i'll be stocking up before the June deadline.
