Purchasing Over The Counter (OTC) Medicinal Products Containing Codeine - Easy Access, Advertising, Misuse and Perceptions of Medicinal Risk

Authors

  • John SG Wells School of Health Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
  • Michael Bergin School of Health Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
  • Marie-Claire Van Hout Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
  • Pádraig McGuinness CARA Pharmacy Group, Donegal, Ireland.
  • Jaco De Pleissisc The Local Choice Pharmacies, Delmas, South Africa.
  • Eileen Rich Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa.
  • Siphokazi Dada Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa.
  • Richard Wells Weldricks Pharmacy, Doncaster, United Kingdom.
  • Martina Ann Gooney School of Health Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland. http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1499-3472

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18433/jpps30049

Abstract

Purpose. Codeine containing medicines can carry a number of health risks associated with the increase in reported misuse and dependence, however they are still readily available over the counter (OTC) in many countries. The aim of this novel study was to report on the results of a survey of customers purchasing OTC codeine containing medicinal products at pharmacies in Ireland, South Africa and England; exploring use, sources of knowledge and perception of risks. Methods. The study design was an exploratory cross sectional survey. It involved a customer self-administered questionnaire at the point of purchase (n=1230).  Relationships between categorical variables were analysed using Pearson chi-square for bivariate analysis. Continuous scale variables were analysed using one way analysis of variance. Results. In Ireland 6% stated they purchased codeine containing products weekly, in South Africa 13% and in England 16%. In Ireland and England women are more likely to view codeine containing products as harmful. In England older adults are more likely to perceive codeine containing products as harmful. A higher proportion of customers in South Africa opposed restricting codeine containing products to prescription only when compared with people in Ireland and England. Conclusions. Codeine containing products are widely purchased and used in all three jurisdictions. Whilst the majority of customers appear to have some awareness and knowledge of risks, it does not materially impact on their purchasing behaviour with a substantial minority purchasing/using such products on a weekly basis. This regularity of purchase whilst indicative of the popularity of such products, may also be a potential indicator of misuse. Future research is needed in relation to cultural and gendered differences and targeted information giving and harm reduction initiatives for safe usage of these medicinal products.

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Author Biographies

John SG Wells, School of Health Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.

Head of School of Health Sciences

Michael Bergin, School of Health Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.

Head of Department of Applied Arts

Marie-Claire Van Hout, Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom.

Professor of Public Health Policy and Practice

Pádraig McGuinness, CARA Pharmacy Group, Donegal, Ireland.

Superintendent Pharmacist

Jaco De Pleissisc, The Local Choice Pharmacies, Delmas, South Africa.

Managing Director

Eileen Rich, Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa.

Project Manager

Siphokazi Dada, Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa.

Scientist

Richard Wells, Weldricks Pharmacy, Doncaster, United Kingdom.

Superintendent Pharmacist

Martina Ann Gooney, School of Health Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.

Department of Nursing and Health Care

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Published

2018-07-16

How to Cite

Wells, J. S., Bergin, M., Van Hout, M.-C., McGuinness, P., De Pleissisc, J., Rich, E., … Gooney, M. A. (2018). Purchasing Over The Counter (OTC) Medicinal Products Containing Codeine - Easy Access, Advertising, Misuse and Perceptions of Medicinal Risk. Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 21(1), 286–295. https://doi.org/10.18433/jpps30049

Issue

Section

Pharmacy Practice, Education & Socioeconomy Original Article