In reply: We welcome McAvoy and Tobin’s support of our recommendation that over-the-counter (OTC) codeine combination analgesics be available as prescription only. These products are the only narcotic analgesics available without prescription. Hundreds of people in Australia and New Zealand have now been treated for addiction to OTC codeine combination analgesics or the often life-threatening non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug injury caused by the high-dose ibuprofen secondary to codeine addiction.1,2
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