Painkillers are now less readily available

Submitted by Dr David Allen on Fri, 14/05/2010 - 19:57.


From 1 May 2010, tighter controls will apply to the availability of analgesic products containing codeine.

These changes will see products like Nurofen Plus, Panadeine, Panadeine Extra, and Aspalgin (as well as other equivalent brands) in smaller pack sizes and with smaller doses of codeine. Of most significance is that these products will no longer be available ‘off the shelf’ as a Pharmacy Medicine (S2), with products now scheduled as S3 (Pharmacist Only Medicines), requiring pharmacist consultation and recording of customer details prior to issue.

  Before 1 May 2010 After 1 May 2010
Pharmacy Medicines (S2) Nurofen ® Plus and other brands
12, 24, 48 units (48 units in NSW)

Panadeine ® and other brands
10, 16, 20, 24 units (up to 100 units NSW only)

Aspalgin ® and other brands
20 units (up to 100 units NSW only)
 No longer available as pharmacy medicines.
Pharmacist Only Medicines (S3)

- containing up to 5 days treatment;

- up to 12 mg codeine per dosage unit;

- labelled with a recommended total daily dose of up to 100 mg codeine. 		Nurofen ® Plus and other brands
48 units (except NSW), 96 units

Panadeine ® and other brands
50 and 100 units (except NSW)

Aspalgin ® and other brands
48, 50, 100 units (except NSW)

Panadeine ® Extra and other brands
12 units

Mersyndol ® and other brands
20 units
 Nurofen ® Plus and other brands
12, 24 units

Panadeine ® and other brands
10, 16, 20, 24 units

Aspalgin ® and other brands
20 units

Panadeine ® Extra and other brands
12 units

Mersyndol ® and other brands
20 units
Prescription Only Medicines (S4)

- containing more than 5 days treatment and/or greater than 12 mg codeine per dosage unit;

- labelled with a recommended total daily dosage of more than 100mg codeine 		Panadeine ® Forte and other brands
20 units 		Nurofen ® Plus and other brands
48 tabs, 96 units

Panadeine ® and other brands
50 and 100 units

Aspalgin ® and other brands
48, 50, 100 units

Panadeine ® Forte and other brands
20 units

Adapted from Pharmacy Guild of Australia website (http://www.guild.org.au)