Australian codeine change expected to help save lives

Following the unanimous advice of Australia’s Advisory Committee on Medicines Scheduling in August 2015, an important change that will help save lives comes into effect today for medicines containing codeine, said Minister for Health Greg Hunt and chief medical officer Brendan Murphy in a joint statement.

Each year, low dose codeine products are a factor in the death of more than 100 Australians. And research shows that around half a million Australians are misusing over-the-counter products containing codeine, with many people becoming dependent on it, contributing to serious health complications.

Medicines containing codeine will no longer be available without a prescription – a move that’s based on the best medical advice and has national support from governments, the medical profession and consumer groups.

It is also in line with international best practice with many countries now allowing access to codeine-based products only with a prescription, including the USA, Japan, Russia, United Arab Emirates and most of Europe.

Consumers will not be disadvantaged by this change. Most people will be able to get relief from acute pain, and cough, cold and flu symptoms using other safe and effective over-the-counter medicines without codeine.

In fact, Australia’s peak medical groups advise that medicines that contain both ibuprofen and paracetamol provide relief from acute pain as effectively as low dose codeine products, without risk of dependence.

The scheduling of codeine has been the subject of consideration by government expert committees and the Therapeutic Goods Administration since 2008.

In March 2016, the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Medicines and the Advisory Committee on Medicines Scheduling both reaffirmed the original decision to make codeine prescription only.

Following the development of a Regulation Impact Statement the decision to make codeine prescription only was reaffirmed in December 2016 for commencement in February 2018.