Medsafe holds off on Codeine Decision

The Medicines Classification Committee of Medsafe has stopped short of rescheduling OTC medications containing codeine, with the minutes of its latest meeting detailing questions which would be required to be answered “to allow codeine to continue to be available without prescription”.

Codeine reclassification is on the agenda for the next meeting, with the questions posed including:

a) what education and continuing professional development would be provided to health professionals regarding the sale and prescription of codeine to minimise the risk of misuse and addiction in consumers?

b) how will the sector fill the data gap with respect to over-thecounter codeine use?

and

c) how will the sector track the sale of codeine in pharmacy to better identify consumers with additional needs for pain management and/or addiction problems?

Source: pharmacydaily.com.au, Friday 7 July 2017