Misuse of ‘over-the-counter’ codeine analgesics: does formulation play a role?

TY - JOUR

T1 - Misuse of ‘over-the-counter’ codeine analgesics: does formulation play a role?

AU - Foley, Michelle

AU - Breindahl, T

AU - Hindersson, P

AU - Deluca, Paolo

AU - Kimergård, Andreas

PY - 2016/1

Y1 - 2016/1

N2 - The availability of the opioid codeine as an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine varies significantly across the EU. Summarily significant variation exists in drug formulation, such as amounts of codeine per tablet and type of non-opioid analgesics added to OTC preparations. Against this backdrop, however, Denmark is unique in the sale of OTC codeine within the EU, as the only country permitting OTC sale outside a pharmacy outlet. Here retail outlets like supermarkets, health and beauty shops, and petrol stations, can sell packs of 10 tablets containing 9.6 mg codeine phosphate hemihydrate (equivalent approximately to 7 mg free base codeine) and 500 mg acetylsalicylic acid.

AB - The availability of the opioid codeine as an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine varies significantly across the EU. Summarily significant variation exists in drug formulation, such as amounts of codeine per tablet and type of non-opioid analgesics added to OTC preparations. Against this backdrop, however, Denmark is unique in the sale of OTC codeine within the EU, as the only country permitting OTC sale outside a pharmacy outlet. Here retail outlets like supermarkets, health and beauty shops, and petrol stations, can sell packs of 10 tablets containing 9.6 mg codeine phosphate hemihydrate (equivalent approximately to 7 mg free base codeine) and 500 mg acetylsalicylic acid.

UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2015.10.006

U2 - 10.1016/j.puhe.2015.10.006

DO - 10.1016/j.puhe.2015.10.006

M3 - Letter

SN - 0033-3506

VL - 130

SP - 95

EP - 96

JO - Public Health

JF - Public Health

ER -