A comparative analysis of pharmacists’ perspectives on codeine use and misuse – a three country survey
Date
2018-03-27
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BioMed Central
Abstract
Background: The misuse of codeine is of increasing concern in a number of countries, particularly as this relates
to over -the-counter pain and cough relief medication, and is also supplied as a prescription medicine. The study
aimed to obtain and analyse the opinions and experience of pharmacy staff with regard to codeine misuse.
Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey of pharmacy staff’s perspectives on this issue was administered
through professional or regulatory bodies and completed by samples drawn in South Africa (n = 124), Ireland
(n = 464) and the United Kingdom (n = 129).
Results: The majority of participants reported combination codeine-containing products as most popular, but
significantly more pharmacy staff in South Africa reported codeine-containing cough syrups as most commonly
popular (X2 = 122.7(2), p < 0.001). Codeine use was also seen significantly more of a public health problem in South
Africa than in the other two countries (X2 = 7.6(2), p = 0.02). There was no difference across countries in the level of
codeine misuse reported by pharmacy staff. Further findings indicate that professional training and education is
desired, with unequivocal findings for the need for greater codeine control (X2 = 12.0(2), p = 0.002).
Conclusion: In conclusion, there were some inter-country differences, but overall the findings seem to suggest that
pharmacists across all three countries view codeine misuse as a problem among their customers. Recommendations
centre on risk management, surveillance and staff training.
Description
CITATION: Carney, T., et al. 2018. A comparative analysis of pharmacists’ perspectives on codeine use and misuse – a three country survey. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 13:12, doi:10.1186/s13011-018-0149-2.
The original publication is available at https://substanceabusepolicy.biomedcentral.com
The original publication is available at https://substanceabusepolicy.biomedcentral.com
Keywords
Pain medicine, Substance abuse -- Medical care, Codeine -- Drug use, Pharmacists -- Attitudes
Citation
Carney, T., et al. 2018. A comparative analysis of pharmacists’ perspectives on codeine use and misuse – a three country survey. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 13:12, doi:10.1186/s13011-018-0149-2