Script-only restrictions on way for strong painkillers

Strong painkillers may soon require a doctor's prescription as health authorities try to stem their illicit abuse.

The Ministry of Health's medicines classification committee, part of its drug safety section Medsafe, will consider at its June meeting whether to restrict some codeine combination medications.

Codeine abuse for the manufacture of homebake was high in the 1990s but declined because of rising popularity of methamphetamine, known as 'P', according to the committee. But codeine abuse had increased since controls tightened in 2004 over medications containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which can be used to make P.

Under the proposed changes, codeine combination medicines containing 12 milligrams or less codeine could be sold in packs of up to 50 tablets over the counter. Medicines with more than 12mg of codeine but not more than 30mg and in pack sizes of no more than 12 tablets would become restricted medicines. These included Nurofen Plus and Panadeine Plus. Any medicines with higher levels of codeine and unlimited packet size would become prescription-only.

A ministry spokeswoman said the classification change would prevent new products with ever- higher amounts of codeine from being sold over the counter. "Codeine can be abused and it is important that a health professional is involved in the supply of the higher potency products."

Medsafe said codeine levels in pharmacy-only combination products were rising. Previously- approved products had 8mg of codeine phosphate per tablet but that had gradually increased to 15mg. But recently, it received an application for a medication with 30mg of codeine combined with 500mg of paracetamol, in packs of 12 and 96 tablets.

Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, combination medications with up to 100mg of codeine could be sold over the counter.

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