Australia’s Codeine Reverse-Switch’Vindicated’By 50% Drop In Supply

摘要

Australia’s decision last year to reverse-switch codeine from a non-prescription to a prescription-only medicine has been”vindicated”by data showing a 50% drop in the drug’s supply,according to the Australian Medical Association.”The Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Federal Government held firm in the face of great pressure from pharmacy lobby groups,particularly the Pharmacy Guild of Australia,which launched a prolonged and very strong multi-state offensive against this change,”commented AMA president,Dr Tony Bartone.”The pharmacy lobby also claimed that up-scheduling would lead to doctor-shopping,”he continued,”and patients switching from low-dose to high-dose codeine medicines.”