Ireland on the verge of a codeine addiction epidemic, Irish Medical Journal warns

Ireland is on the verge of a codeine addiction epidemic, with patients “codeine shopping” between pharmacies making it difficult to monitor usage.

A paper in Irish Medical Journal (IMJ) March edition warns that it can be tricky for pharmacists to spot unsuitable codeine sales when patients give “well constructed and credible explanations regarding pain” and when there are “no obvious signs of misuse”.