COUGH syrups or codeine linctus in the UK could no longer be available over-the-counter due to the rising numbers of reports of drug abuse and dependence to codeine medicines being made to the country's medicines safety regulator.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency says the rules around how people get hold of it should be tightened.
"Codeine linctus is an effective medicine, but as it is an opioid, its misuse and abuse can have major health consequences," said Chief Safety Officer Dr Alison Cave.
In Australia in Feb the TGA recalled over 50 pholcodine-containing cough medicines off pharmacy shelves due to its potential for misuse (PD 01 Mar).
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