Pharmacy Daily | Pharmacy codeine fail – AMA

"PHARMACIST control of codeine does not work," according to a formal statement from the Australian Medical Association, which has urged all stakeholders to cooperatively implement the TGA decision to reschedule codeine products to prescription only (S4).

AMA president Dr Michael Gannon this morning urged the sector not to deviate from the TGA decision "which was made with open and transparent consultation".

He said there was "compelling evidence" to support the rescheduling of codeine products to S4, adding the AMA was "extremely concerned" at moves to "influence or coerce State governments to change, delay or dilute the impact of the TGA decision".

Gannon said such moves were not in the best interests of patients and particularly noted problems with pharmacy control of codeine.

"Codeine-related deaths continued to rise when pharmacists were given responsibility for ensuring safe non-prescription codeine sales in 2010.

"There is no evidence that low-dose codeine provides any benefit beyond placebo," Gannon said.

"Patients who have short term pain will still have access to alternative over-the-counter painkillers, which are more effective than low-dose codeine, but without codeine-associated risks.

"It is better for patients with chronic pain to manage it with doctors' advice...rather than self-treating with codeine for the long term," the AMA president added.

Gannon said the TGA has effectively communicated its codeine decision with the health sector and with the general public, and has actively sought feedback from the medical and health communities, including pharmacists, through participation in its working groups.

"It is essential for public safety that the TGA is allowed and supported to make evidence-based decisions about medicines, free from political interference and sectional interests," he emphasised.

"The decision has been made - what we need to see now is cooperative implementation.

"We call on all those who work in the wider health community -- including pharmacy - to quickly implement the changes that are necessary.

"At this stage, we do not want to see the peddling of alternative models, dressed up as 'patient concern', which undermine the TGA position," Gannon concluded.