Codeine becomes prescription-only medicine in Australia

[Jega (OP)]

I hate seeing stories like this.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-38362305

Painkillers containing codeine will require a prescription in Australia from 2018 amid concerns over misuse.

Under current laws, codeine can be obtained in compound form in over-the-counter painkillers and cough medicines.

But Australia's drug regulator believes the risk of addiction is too great.

The decision brings Australia into line with most developed countries in requiring a prescription for the opioid-based medication.

The US, most of Europe, Hong Kong and Japan have stopped the sale of over-the-counter codeine products.

Australia's Therapeutic Drugs Administration (TGA) said consumers often became addicted to the drug.

"Misuse of over-the-counter codeine products contributes to severe health outcomes including liver damage, stomach ulceration, respiratory depression and death," it said in a statement.

The new rules will begin on 1 February 2018.

The TGA recommended patients discuss new treatment plans with their doctors, including whether to use painkilling alternatives such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.

[6-mam]

In line with the rest of developed nations huh?? What a crock of shit.

Aus is the new Usa....

We don't trust you with proper education and to think for yourself so we'll do the thinking for you, and if you step out of line they'll be punishment young man!!! You'll be grounded to a maximum security prison!!

[Chip]

My friends are stocking up on 15 mg Codeine preps.

The lady I live with suffers from headaches and she has quite a stash built up already.

But it's fucking stupid, I have never met a Codeine addict - why bother ? Get real opiates, kids.

[Z]

Do they put caffeine in the codeine pills there chipper? Here it's 30mg caffeine to 8mg codeine.  Hard to take enough codeine to do anything without getting loads of caffeine.

[Chip]

No they don't but there is one prep that does.

[6-mam]

Damn OTC 15 mg pills with no caffeine? You guys have it made. Or I should say had...

[Chip]

Not really. With my tolerance, it might as well be placebo, it never helped when I needed more Methadone.

I once caught a mild buzz off 300 mg. Codeine but that was fleeting.

Now that I am opiate free, maybe some pain relief but I'd rather avoid it.