Consumer healthcare products industry body, the New Zealand Self-Medication Industry (SMI), says the decision by
Medsafe’s Medicines Classification Committee (MCC) to make over-the-counter (OTC) codeine in combination painkillers
prescription-only in New Zealand from January 2020 is disappointing and unnecessary.
The Committee has also recommended that from January 2020 medicines containing codeine as the only active ingredient
should be reclassified from prescription to restricted medicine i.e. available in small packs from a pharmacist
following consultation and recording.
“We are disappointed that the MCC did not take the opportunity to encourage better recording of sales OTC and instead
has pushed all codeine-in-combination products to prescription-only where anecdotal evidence and earlier research
suggests the bulk of abused codeine is procured,” says SMI executive director, Scott Milne.
Mr Milne says the decision means a valuable opportunity to develop a real-time recording system for codeine purchases
proposed by SMI and the Pharmacy Guild may have been lost.
“Pharmacists here are required by law to determine whether it is appropriate to supply over-the-counter painkillers
containing codeine and a move to prescription-only disregards the expertise of pharmacists and their important role in
the frontline of primary care.
“The current scheduling of these medicines means consumers must seek counselling from a pharmacist during the purchase
of codeine-containing products and the purchase must be recorded. However, this is currently not done in real time. A
real time recording system would severely inhibit the opportunity for opiate abusers to shop around for
codeine-containing product. Pharmacists have the professional expertise to address any questions consumers may have
about these products,” he says.
Mr Milne adds: “The use of non-prescription medicines containing codeine is safe when used according to label
instructions. These medicines are intended strictly for short-term use.
“The vast majority of NZ consumers use OTC codeine-containing products appropriately and there is little evidence of
misuse of codeine-containing products in New Zealand. SMI had therefore advocated to retain the current classification
of OTC codeine-containing products.
“SMI strongly supports the appropriate and responsible use of all medicines and a prescription-only classification is no
guarantee against misuse or abuse of a medicine.
“We are concerned that further restricting access to these medicines will have unintended consequences for consumers,
who will be required to visit a GP or emergency department to access medicines for minor, self-limiting conditions
instead of being able to get them from a pharmacy. It will also increase the workload of doctors and create greater
inefficiencies and additional cost in an already over-strained primary health system.”
Mr Milne says that when taking any medicine, it is important that consumers read the label carefully, including the
warning statements on the pack, and only take the medicines as directed.