Pharmacy guidelines halve sales of codeine drugs

The pharmacy union says the new rules are misleading customers and creating a stigma regarding the use of certain painkillers

THE IRISH Pharmaceutical Union (IPU) has said that sales of products containing codeine have fallen by up to half since new guidelines governing their use came into effect.

Under the new Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland rules, the products must only be supplied under the personal supervision of a pharmacist. The pharmacist must advise customers to use them only when necessary and for the shortest time possible. All advertising and window display of codeine-containing medicines, which include Solpadine and Nurofen Plus, is also prohibited.

“Sales are half of previous levels,” said Darragh O’Loughlin, president of the IPU. “There’s almost a stigma attached to asking for these products now. The legislation is supposed to be about stopping addiction, not stopping sales altogether.”

Mr O’Loughlin said there were other impacts. “The pharmacist has to be involved in every sale, which means patients are left waiting,” he said. “If you start talking about the dangers of addiction, it can feel like an accusation.”

Rory O’Donnell, vice president of the IPU and owner of two pharmacies in Donegal, said there was a misconception that codeine was no longer available because it was no longer visible. “Some now think they can’t get it, even though it may be the most appropriate thing for them to take.”

On the positive side, however: “In some cases, patients were taking codeine for pain that wouldn’t respond to it so they are happy to be prescribed something more appropriate.”

Kathy Maher a pharmacist in Meath said: “the codeine issue did need to be addressed, but taking the products out of view has stigmatised them”.

Patrick McCauley, managing director of Sam McCauley chemists, which has 24 stores, said sales of codeine products had almost halved: “Half of codeine sales would not reflect those with an addiction.”

He said there had been an increase in sales of non-codeine alternatives such as paracetamol and that the numbers treated for overuse of this was far greater than those treated for codeine addiction. Describing the new rules he said, “it’s like trying to swat a fly with a sledgehammer.”

Kate O’Flaherty, head of communications at the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland said: “There may be a misunderstanding about the role of the pharmacist in the public eye – the pharmacist has to be satisfied the supply is safe and appropriate.”

Regarding the increased counter time required of pharmacists, Ms O’Flaherty said: “the act increases the role of the pharmacist and some may need to ask if they have enough pharmacists in the store.”