Codeine ban ‘will save lives’

OVER-THE-COUNTERpainkillers and flu medicines will require a doctor’s prescription within weeks, under a move that Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt says will save lives.

Just days out from the controversial change, Mr Hunt has defended the Turnbull Government’s decision to make it harder to buy drugs with codeine, saying that more Australians were dying from codeine-containing products than heroin.

From February 1, painkillers with codeine, such as Panadeine, Nurofen Plus, Mersyndol and some cold and flu products, such as some Codral and Demazin products, will need a script.

Mr Hunt said that the changes were needed to help stop addiction and to help keep people alive.

“There is an opioid crisis happening in many countries around the world at the moment,’’ he said yesterday. “Codeine, like morphine and other opioids, can cause dependence, toxicity and even death.”

The latest figures show that around half a million Australians are misusing over-thecounter products containing codeine and around 100 people die each year.

“In fact, in Australia more people die from codeine-containing products than from heroin. That’s why this change will save lives,” he said.