UK cough syrup could be pharmacy-only over addiction fears

Cough syrup oregon codeine linctus could nary longer beryllium disposable implicit the antagonistic due to the fact that of concerns it is addictive and tin pb to superior wellness problems.

Rising numbers of reports of cause maltreatment and dependence to codeine medicines are being made to the UK medicines information regulator.

It present wants views connected reclassifying it arsenic a prescription-only medicine due to the fact that of fears of misuse.

Pharmacists besides accidental they are disquieted astir the overdose risk.

Codeine linctus is an oral solution oregon syrup containing the constituent codeine phosphate, which is sold arsenic a cough remedy successful pharmacies.

But immoderate radical are besides utilizing it for its opioid effects - to provender an addiction to pain-relieving medicine - and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) says the rules astir however radical get clasp of it should beryllium tightened.

"Codeine linctus is an effectual medicine, but arsenic it is an opioid, its misuse and maltreatment tin person large wellness consequences," said Dr Alison Cave, main information serviceman of the MHRA.

The occupation has been getting noticeably worse successful the past 5 years, with expanding numbers of reports of misuse and transgression enactment linked to codeine, often promoted done societal media.

The MHRA says it has received 116 reports of recreational cause abuse, dependence and/or withdrawal to codeine medicines, including codeine linctus, since 2018.

As a result, the regulator has launched a consultation to stitchery views from wellness professionals and members of the nationalist connected making the medicine disposable lone erstwhile prescribed by a GP.

Pharmacists welcomed the move, saying determination was "insufficient robust evidence" for the benefits of codeine linctus for treating coughs safely.

"We besides person important concerns astir its misuse and addictive potential, arsenic good arsenic the hazard of overdose," said Prof Claire Anderson, president of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

She said determination were galore non-codeine based products which radical could usage for a adust cough, which would astir apt spell distant connected its ain anyway.

Up to 60% of radical worldwide whitethorn beryllium prone to opioid dependence, studies suggest.

Cough syrups person besides been successful the quality for a antithetic crushed successful India, wherever immoderate Indian-made cough syrups were linked to deaths successful The Gambia and Uzbekistan.