Call to end over-the-counter sales of codeine

ALL over-the-counter pain medications containing the “Hillbilly heroin” drug codeine should be made prescription-only to block the continuing rise in addictions to the narcotic, a leading expert has said.

Making the comments “in a personal capacity”, Dr John O Connor, medical director of the Drug Treatment Centre Board (DTCB), said the growing trend of addiction to the drug meant popular pain-killer products like Nurofen Plus, Solpadeine and Sudafed should be taken off the shelves due to concerns over their use.

Last year, Irish consumers spent a massive €21 million on Solpadeine alone, up €3m on the 2006 figure, raising concerns among the medical profession the product was being used as a cheap replacement for illegal narcotics. It is from the same medication family as heroin and contains the same active ingredient as morphine. Under current legislation, Irish chemists are restricted from selling any codeine product in large quantities to customers.