Addicts stockpiling codeine ahead of government crackdown

QUEENSLAND’S peak medical body fears opioid addicts are stockpiling overthe-counter codeine products ahead of a government crackdown early next year.

Australian Medical Association Queensland spokesman Dr Richard Kidd warned anecdotal evidence suggested the practice was already happening.

“That’s potentially tragic because, in the course of stockpiling, people who have got dependency issues are going to have ready access to taking even more than they should,” Dr Kidd said. “There is a greater risk over the next few months that people may well accidentally overdose.”

All codeine-based products, including Panadeine, Nurofen Plus, and some cold and flu medication, will be banned from sale without prescription from February 1.