Over-the-counter painkillers containing codeine could become prescription-only in England amid concerns about opioid addiction. Draft guidance published this week has already recommended that GPs do not prescribe paracetamol, ibuprofen and stronger opioids for chronic pain because they are harmful and can cause addiction. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is continuing to monitor the safety of common strong painkillers such as Nurofen Plus, co-codamol and co-codaprin. These can be bought over the counter for about £3.50 a pack but the agency is examining whether a doctor’s prescription should be needed. The organisation said that the safety of over-the-counter (OTC) codeine products was under constant review and that a reclassification would be considered if deemed necessary.

Source: The Times August 06, 2020 23:04 UTC