The Pharmacy and Poisons Board has banned the sale of all medicines containing codeine without a valid prescription.
The ingredient in question is used in medicines that treat mild to moderate degrees of pain. The move is aimed at minimising overuse and addiction.
Dr FM Siyoi, registrar of the board, said the drugs will no longer be sold in pharmacies and chemists without proper prescriptions.
“All dispensers should not offer for sale any medicine that contains codeine without a valid prescription from a duly registered medical practitioner.”
Siyoi noted all valid prescriptions should have the patient’s name, address and age.
