Codeine changes
June 1, 2010
The codeine scheduling changes
were introduced nationally on 1
May – one month ago.
The Pharmacy Guild conducted
an information campaign to ensure
the transition to the new legal
requirements relating to pain
relievers containing codeine were
implemented appropriately and with
the best advice and assistance
offered to health care consumers.
The Guild supports the message
sent to pharmacists last week by
the Pharmacy Board of NSW,
reminding them that they must be
personally involved in the sale of
such medications and determine
the appropriateness of the supply,
having regard to their legal and
ethical obligations.
The Board said, in part: “If
particular circumstances indicate
that a sale of multiple packets of
analgesics containing codeine may
be appropriate, such as the client
going overseas where access to
such medication is problematic or
living in a remote location, the Board
believes that good practice would
dictate that the pharmacist document
the reasons for such a sale.”
The Guild shares the Board’s
confidence that “the majority of
pharmacists will exercise their
professional judgment in a
responsible manner”.
Under the changes, analgesic
products containing codeine:
• are not available as a
Pharmacy Medicine (S2)
• which contain up to five day’s
treatment with a maximum
dosage unit of 12mg
anhydrous codeine or 16mg
codeine phosphate are
available as a Pharmacist Only
Medicine (S3)
• in larger pack sizes (i.e.
greater than five day’s
treatment) and/or higher
strengths of codeine (i.e.
greater than 12mg anhydrous
codeine or 16mg codeine
phosphate) are only available
by prescription.
For further information on the
changes visit www.guild.org.au/
content.asp?id=2696.
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