Press Release

DH concerns about abuses of medicines containing codeine

31 August 2006

In response to media enquiries on control of sale of medicines containing codeine, a spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) today (August 31) said that DH had always been concerned about the abuse of cough preparations over the years.

The spokesman said codeine is a cough suppressant and has its legitimate and common use. There should be various channels through which the public may have access to the medicine as a matter of convenience

"A balance has to be struck between allowing it to be available for legitimate use and restricting its availability to control abuse.

The spokesman said that the suggestions from members of the medical professionals to further restrict the sale of medicines containing codeine in pharmacies would be conveyed to the Pharmacy and Poisons Board for careful consideration.

He said the use and sale of cough medicines containing codeine were regulated under stringent legislation, which has been tightened over the years.

"Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations, the sale of medicines containing codeine is restricted to pharmacy and under the supervision of the registered pharmacist.

"Medicines containing 0.2% or above codeine can only be sold on a doctor's prescription.

"For cough medicine containing codeine at more than 0.1% and below 0.2%, a record has to be kept for every transaction. They are further required to be stored in a locked receptacle."

Sale in any other way is an offence with maximum penalties of $100,000 fine and 2 years' imprisonment.

He said, "DH has stepped up and will continue the control measures having regard to the prevailing trend of abuse via inspection of pharmacies and medicine companies, conducting test purchases and prosecution of offenders.

"DH and the Police will further step up enforcement activities on illegal sale of cough medicine."