Are Codeine products illegal?

sitstill

I tried to buy Uniflu Plus today in the chemist and was told that I could not have it because it has Codeine in it. I was given regular Uniflu. Are chemists not allowed sell Codeine now without prescription or something?

revz

http://www.thepsi.ie/gns/pharmacy-practice/practice-guidance/codeine-guidance.aspx

Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland says...
The PSI Council has published guidance for pharmacists on safe supply to patients of non-prescription medicinal products containing codeine.
As codeine is a controlled drug listed in the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961, in many countries it only available under prescription control. In Ireland, at specified lower strengths, it is available without a prescription when supplied by or under the personal supervision of a pharmacist.

The legal position regarding the supply of non-prescription codeine medicines from a pharmacist is laid out primarily in Regulation 10 of the Regulation of Retail Pharmacy Businesses Regulations 2008.

Essentially, a pharmacist must be satisfied that the supply of the particular non-prescription medicine is safe and appropriate, and the pharmacist must use their professional judgement and expertise in deciding how best to deal with the individual patient’s needs.

This may involve the supply of a medicine, referral to a GP or other healthcare professional or other advice or information.
There are additional considerations due to the fact that codeine is a controlled drug and the regulations also require that these medicines (along with prescription-only medicines) are not accessible to the public for self-selection.

...Codeine medicines should only be used when considered necessary and for the shortest period necessary. Patients should be advised of the importance of adhering to the recommended dose and duration of use and should be informed of risks of developing tolerance and dependence. Patients should also be advised of added risks from excessive consumption of ‘combination products’ - painkillers containing codeine and another drug such as paracetamol or ibuprofen - and should be counselled about other potential side-effects, such as drowsiness, which might affect their ability to drive safely.

Pharmacists also practice under a statutory Code of Conduct which states that their primary concern is the health, safety, care and welfare of their patients, and this Code places obligations on pharmacists to act appropriately in the patient’s interests at all times.

The primary aim of the guidance is to ensure that these medicines are supplied and used as safely as possible and to assist pharmacists in discharging their legal, professional and ethical obligations.
The guidance also deals with the situation where a pharmacist suspects that a patient is experiencing problems from the misuse or abuse of a codeine medicine, that these patients are facilitated and encouraged to seek appropriate treatment and support.

Due to a new legislation brought in by the PSI a number of months ago, the pharmacist may not supply you with codeine containing products due to the reasons quoted above. It is at the discretion of the pharmacist as to whether it is necessary for you to use a codeine containing product. They are not illegal but they may have not given you Uniflu plus as they may have felt regular Uniflu would be more appropriate (and I think he/she should have recommended it to you?)

FluffyCat

Alot of pharmacists are moving away from codeine altogether and are not stocking it anymore. It makes sense as the hassle from the new regulations and the grumpy patients, its not worth it!!

In reality, for a lot of ailments, codeine free products are just as effective!