SHPA affirms codeine move

THE Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia has recommitted its support for the rescheduling of OTC codeine products, which will become prescription only from 01 Feb 2018.

CEO Kristin Michaels said the organisation had long advocated for reducing the availability of ineffective codeine-containing medicines.

“SHPA does not recommend subtherapeutic doses of codeine for the treatment of mild to moderate pain, a view informed by the expertise of hospital pharmacists who provide care to patients with mismanaged pain in hospitals around Australia,” she said.

Michaels’ affirmation follows a formal statement from Professor Brendan Murphy, Commonwealth chief medical officer, who last Fri cited “numerous studies that show codeine is not the miracle pain relief drug that people think it is, and there is compelling evidence of harm caused by overuse and abuse of over the counter codeine-containing medicines.

“The best current data indicates that low dose codeine is no better than - and perhaps not as effective as - combination paracetamol and ibuprofen for relief of acute pain,” Professor Murphy said.

SHPA said amid ongoing debate on codeine-containing medicines, “the facts remain clear...therapeutic guidelines and other evidence show us that codeine-containing medicines - especially low-dose codeine - are not effective for ongoing chronic pain, they are addictive and can have unpredictable effects”.

Michaels said the Society stood behind Painaustralia’s ongoing ‘Real Relief’ campaign, which brings together key pharmacy, medical and consumer groups to inform Australians about the realities of codeine dependence, pathways to seeking help and alternative approaches to self-managing pain.

See realrelief.org.au.