BIG changes to the way codeine tablets such as Nurofen Plus and Panadeine are sold are expected to cause a headache for pharmacists and customers.

From Thursday, all combination medications containing codeine, which are used by 4 million Australians each year, will be rescheduled.

Packs containing up to 12 milligrams of codeine will be kept behind the counter and dispensed only by a pharmacist who will record the customer’s details. This includes 12-tablet and 24-tablet packs of Nurofen Plus and Panadeine.

Customers will have to obtain a prescription for a 48-tablet pack or larger, leading many to stock up before so-called Codeine May Day.

The National Drugs and Poisons Schedule Committee ordered the changes over concerns that 1 in 20,000 people abused combination analgesics containing codeine and ibuprofen, which can cause perforated gastric ulcers and kidney failure.

The Pharmacy Guild estimates that increased doctors visits could cost the health system $2 billion. ‘‘The guild is desperate to avoid more prescriptions,’’ its vice-president Kos Sclavos said. ‘‘If every time someone has a minor headache they have to go off to the doctor, it will add enormous strain.’‘

As a result, most manufacturers have decided to stop making 48 packs.

Greg and Mary Walsh of Concord, who have four children, estimate they use a 12-pack of combination analgesics every week. They buy in packs of 48 because they are cheaper and ‘‘then it’s always there’’ but will now have to visit a pharmacy almost every week.

‘‘It will lead to us running out,’’ Mr Walsh said. ‘‘When it’s needed, it won’t be there. so you’ll have to put up with the pain until it subsides or until you get around to going to the chemist.’‘

Paul Ta, from Day and Night Chemist in Ashfield, said pharmacists could expect an bigger workload. He said some patients would be concerned about details being recorded but drug abuse had to be stopped.

Customer details cannot be accessed by other pharmacies, allowing medication abusers to visit other shops. Mr Sclavos said that, overall, pharmacists were supportive of the changes.

RACHEL OLDING
Fairfax Digital