Key Summary
- Pharmacists should remind the buyer about the three-day guidance and can refuse to sell if they feel the medicine is being abused.
- But people are circumventing this safeguard by doing a ‘pharmacy hop’ - go to different pharmacies and buy a single pack at each.
- The PAGB has clarified that medicines containing codeine are subject to robust safeguards, including limited pack sizes and mandatory addiction warnings.
An ITV programme has uncovered the misuse of over-the-counter codeine-based painkillers.
The ITV Tonight report points out that no prescription is needed to buy these painkillers, but as per the guidance, these painkillers should not be used continuously for more than three days.
However, the survey, involving 2000 people, showed that one in five claimed they took codeine-based painkillers for more than ten days in a row, while one in six took them for up to nine days.
Pharmacies are allowed to sell only one pack of codeine-based painkillers at a time to customers.
Pharmacists should remind the buyer about the three-day guidance and can refuse to sell if they feel the medicine is being abused.
But the Tonight programme featured some people who were circumventing this safeguard by doing a ‘pharmacy hop’ - go to different pharmacies and buy one pack from each of them.
PAGB clarification
The PAGB has clarified that medicines containing codeine are subject to robust safeguards, including limited pack sizes, mandatory front-of-pack addiction warnings stating pharmacist supervision and strict advertising requirements.
The consumer healthcare association has clarified that OTC medicines containing codeine are intended for the short-term treatment of moderate pain that has not been relieved by paracetamol, aspirin or ibuprofen alone, and are only available from a pharmacy following consultation with a trained pharmacist.
It urged the patients to read the safety information on the packaging and in the patient information leaflet included in every pack and follow instructions as directed.
Those unsure about managing their self-treatable condition or the appropriate use of OTC medicines should speak to a pharmacist for expert advice, it added.
PAGB deputy CEO Laura Kelly said, “While medicines should always be used as directed, it is misleading to conflate survey findings relating to use beyond the recommended guidance period with addiction or dependency.”
GPhC concern
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has raised concerns about ITV Tonight report on codeine-based painkillers and wants pharmacy teams to be more vigilant.
GPhC chief pharmacy officer Roz Gittins said, "Pharmacy teams have a key role in preventing harm and improving health, particularly in relation to medicines that are liable to misuse.
"Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are trained healthcare professionals who can limit or refuse supply where necessary and should support people to get the right care if there are concerns about dependence.
"We expect pharmacy staff to ask relevant questions and use their professional judgement to make decisions, ensuring they have the information they need to provide appropriate care.
"We don’t believe that there should be open display of P-Medicines without key safeguards being in place – specifically that there is pharmacist supervision.
"This facilitated self-selection means a person may choose their medication, but the pharmacy team would need to ensure that it is suitable before supplying it: the same applies for online sales.
"As the regulator for pharmacy, our role is to make sure that registered pharmacies meet our standards, as well as any relevant legal requirements, whilst maintaining the safety of their services. We monitor this through pharmacy inspections and via any concerns that are raised with us.
Gittins felt the Government’s plan to introduce a single patient record that can be accessed in all settings, including community pharmacy, would be helpful to pharmacists.
"It will give pharmacies more information about the person they are providing services to and enable them to work more closely and effectively with other health services to deliver safe and effective care for patients."
