Concern on codeine needs to be kept in perspective

July 20, 2009
MEDIA STATEMENT

Concern over medicines containing codeine needs to be kept in perspective

The New Zealand Self-Medication Industry (NZSMI), the industry body representing non-prescription consumer healthcare products, says that concern over the use of medicines containing codeine needs to be kept in perspective.

Executive director of NZSMI, Tim Roper says that OTC pain relievers, cough and cold medicines combined with codeine have a long history of safe use when used according to label instructions and many thousands of New Zealanders have benefited from them.

"The medicines play an important role in relieving mild to strong pain, and cough and cold symptoms," he comments.

He says in relation to the issue of separation, there is no substantive evidence of codeine being diverted for non-complying use so any further inquiry into this aspect would seem to be of academic interest only.

"It is important, when considering this issue that we strike a balance between the activities of a small minority who may recklessly abuse the product, and the thousands of consumers who use it responsibly and safely," he says.

NZSMI agrees that healthcare professionals should maintain a high degree of awareness about people buying large quantities or repeated purchases.

"We believe there is already a high level of regulation appropriate to the product's efficacy and safety profile. They can only be sold in a pharmacy, and the sale of higher strengths and larger packs generally also requires personal intervention by a pharmacist," he maintains.

ENDS

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