The February 1 deadline from when combination medicines containing codeine require a doctor’s prescription is fast approaching, but pharmacist Amber Poflotski working at Walcha’s Kings Guardian Pharmacy said she and her colleagues have been spreading the word about the changes for the past 6-12 months.
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Many patients should by now be aware of the up-scheduling of any medication listing codeine as an ingredient. Affected products include Panadeine, Panadeine Extra, Mersyndol, Nurofen Plus, Panafen Plus, Aspalgin, Codis, Dispirin Forte, Codral Cold & Flu, Demazin Day & Night Cold & Flu and equivalent generic products.
Those in chronic pain may well benefit from having their pain managed more effectively under a doctor’s care rather than self-medicating, while minimising any tendencies towards addiction and side effects.
Ms Poflotski is aware of cases where people in pain have overdosed on over-the-counter medication to near-fatal levels, and sees the new measures as an effort to combat this.
She said patients increase the dosage as their tolerance level increases, and that can lead to dependence and side-effects.
Clients are being advised to make appointments with their GPs in the lead-up to the change to ensure they have prescriptions for any necessary painkillers. With access to doctors much more of an issue for Walcha residents than for their city cousins, Ms Poflotski advised that people can present to the hospital in an emergency to obtain a script.
Codeine-containing products may be off the list without a prescription from February 1 but she stressed that a variety of over-the-counter pain treatments remain such as non-steroid anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen or paracetamol or combination products, and options like Voltaren.
“We can help patients with the transition,” she said.
“The most important thing is improved outcomes for patients.”
Ms Poflotski sees the up-scheduling as an opportunity for those in chronic pain to reassess their pain management solutions, possibly even looking at alternative or supplementary treatments like physiotherapy.
“The aim is the best quality of life,” she said.
She encouraged anyone with concerns about their access to pain relief to come in and speak with the pharmacist to discuss the alternatives.
“There will still be over-the-counter treatment options,” she said.