A TRIP to the doctor’s will be needed for people wanting to take low-dose codeine tablets from next month.
The change has come after the Therapeutic Goods Administration decided last year to make prescriptions necessary to help combat dependency problems.
Ormiston Family Pharmacy owner and chemist Mike Rothnie said he agreed with the restrictions, which would save staff from having to judge if someone was an addict or in need of temporary pain relief.
“It will put a lot of extra strain on doctors but it takes the responsibility off us and not having to put people through the third degree,” he said.
“There are a lot of people who are not genuine and who have an addiction.”
Codeine is an opioid drug and is known to be addictive in small doses when taken for longer periods of time.
Misuse can lead to liver damage, stomach ulceration and perforations, low blood potassium levels, respiratory depression and death.
A statement released by the TGA said many consumers became addicted after using low-codeine products to treat chronic pain.
“In making this decision, the TGA decision maker took into consideration compelling evidence of the harm caused by overuse and abuse of OTC codeine containing medicines,” the statement read.
“Some Australians don't realise how much harm codeine can cause.”
Mr Rothernie said some chemists would need to roster extra staff behind dispensary counters to deal with increased prescriptions but the change would be worth it.
He said Australia was one of the few countries that had lagged behind in restricting codeine, to the detriment of those who had become addicted.
Medications containing codeine, including Panadeine Forte, Nurofen Plus and Codral Cold and Flu, will remain over-the-counter until the new regulations take effect on February 1.
While Mr Rothnie believed a few customers had stockpiled low-codeine medications ahead of the change, he said the reserves would likely run out soon.
Other pain relief medications, that do not contain codeine, will remain available over-the-counter.
