SANOFI Consumer Healthcare has released new research indicating that at least 45% of consumers will visit their pharmacist for pain relief in the first instance after codeine-containing products are rescheduled in Feb 2018.
Sanofi's study also found 43% of people who currently purchase OTC codeine products say they will switch to a paracetamol and ibuprofen combination after the changes come into effect, rather than visit their GP for a codeine pain relief prescription.
In light of these findings the company has launched Mersynofen, a new codeine-free formula as part of its Mersyndol brand pain portfolio.
Mersynofen will only be available in pharmacies, with Sanofi Consumer Healthcare gm Brett Charlton saying the research provides key insights for pharmacists wanting to provide effective options for clients.
"People who are in pain will seek help from an expert and, while some will visit their GP, a large number of people will still visit their local pharmacy first," he said.
The research indicated that 28% of codeine consumers would ask their GP for higher strength options - however GPs would be most likely to prescribe the same codeine strength that previously worked for their patient, with a preference to prescribe by brand name rather than active ingredients and strengths.
Half of the GPs surveyed said they would not write repeat scripts for codeine, and the majority of doctors also said they preferred to prescribe a smaller pack (20-24 tablets) over a larger one (36-40).
Once the rescheduling takes effect Sanofi's core range of Mersyndol, Prodeine and ProdeineXtra products will move to prescription-only, Charlton confirmed.
He said pharmacies stocking Merysnofen would be supported with educational and point of sale materials about the ibuprofen and paracetamol combination product.
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