^ Than why are codeine formulations allowed to be sold without a prescription? There is no OTC codeine product in the US.
I cant find the link at the moment, I will in the morning, but it says something along the lines of codeine with either promethazine or chlorphenermine (sp?) are the only codeine formulations that can be sold without a prescription. Codeine alone in the syrup cannot be sold without one, but as long as it is in combination with another drug (one of the ones i listed, and a few others) than it can be.