Here’s what happened when codeine was made prescription-only Researchers have examined how the 2018 up-scheduling has affected Australia’s use of the traditionally popular painkiller.
Codeine supply in Australia has almost halved The massive decrease has been attributed to the 2018 decision to up-schedule codeine to a Schedule 4 prescription-only medicine.
No increase in opioids since up-scheduling, but pharmacists disagree A three-year study by Monash Addiction Research Centre has found no increase in opioid scripts since codeine was up-scheduled.
New report exposes severity of harm caused by opioid use The AIHW has shed light on the global issue of harm from opioid use, focusing on comparisons between Australia and Canada.
Codeine to be added to Victoria’s prescription monitoring system The Victorian Government will include codeine in its upcoming real-time prescription monitoring system, the state’s Health Minister Jill Hennessy has announced.
Pharmacists’ codeine fears overstated, GP says While pharmacists have raised concerns about a shortage of low-dose codeine, Dr Evan Ackermann, a GP with a special interest in drugs of dependence, says the evidence supports up-scheduling.
Discussing the effects of codeine up-scheduling in general practice Dr Evan Ackermann, GP and key author of the RACGP’s ‘Prescribing drugs of dependence in general practice: Part C’, talks with newsGP about his initial experiences following the up-scheduling of codeine.
RACGP codeine resources now available The RACGP has created a range of clinical and professional resources – including an online information repository, prescribing guidelines and a 12-point opioid challenge – designed to help GPs throughout Australia address issues relating to the up-scheduling of over-the-counter codeine products.
Patients stock up on codeine prior to up-scheduling Anecdotal evidence suggests some patients are building up their supplies of codeine ahead of its planned up-scheduling from 1 February.
New RACGP codeine resource now available The RACGP has created a new online repository to assist GPs in addressing issues relating to the 1 February up-scheduling of codeine.