After significant consideration & consultation on the effects of medicines containing codeine on people’s health & wellbeing, the TGA (Therapeutics Good Administra- tion) has decided that products containing codeine will not be able to be sold over the counter in pharmacies, making these prod- ucts available on prescription only.
This change does not come into place until 1st February, 2018. The decision to reschedule codeine to prescription only will mean that people who wish to use painkiller medicines containing codeine will need to obtain a script from their GP or healthcare provider, or use alternative medicines still available over the counter e.g. paracetamol, ibuprofen or a combination of these drugs.
If this rescheduling affects you, please speak with one of our friendly pharmacists for a suitable alternative.