New draft guidelines for pharmacists on the safe supply of non-prescription products containing codeine have been published today by the pharmacy regulator.
Under the new guidelines, which will be enforced next year following consultation with the public and the profession, pharmacists could be prosecuted and find themselves before a fitness to practice regime if they display codeine containing products in their stores or fail to give guidance to customers on their appropriate use.
The products must be kept out of sight of the public and should be stored in the dispensary.
Common codeine containing non prescription medicines would include Solpadeine and Nurofen Plus as well as some cough bottles.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI), which has published the draft guidance for pharmacists, says it will have inspectors out checking to ensure they and other pharmacy regulations are complied with.
The PSI says codeine containing products are addictive and should not be the first line of treatment for pain relief and customers should be advised of this. Instead paracetamol, aspirin or ibuprofen should be used first and if pain persists a codeine containing product could be used but only for a maximum of three days without seeking medical advice.
The guidance, the PSI says, is intended to assist pharmacists "in meeting their professional and legal responsibilities" in the supply of codeine containing non prescription medicinal products and to assist in securing compliance with relevant legislative and professional obligations under the new Pharmacy Act. Its also aimed at improving patient safety.
The draft guidance document states that if a pharmacist becomes aware of a suspected abuse/misuse/addiction issue particular to a patient and directly associated with the use of codeine medicines, they should "make all reasonable attempts to ensure that the patient is facilitated in accessing services which will assist in the management of that
addiction. The policy and procedures documentation in the retail pharmacy business should include contact details for the national and/or local support and treatment services which are available to patients".
Members of the public or health professionals who wishes to make comments or submissions on the new draft guidelines should send them to the PSI, 18 Shrewsbury Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, before January 15th.
The Irish Pharmacy Union, which represents 1,800 pharmacists, has welcomed the draft guidance document.