SAHPRA aims to curb high levels of codeine abuse
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and other health professional regulators are set to implement measures to curb the high levels of codeine abuse.
This initiative will force pharmacies, and other bodies that dispense medicine, to digitally record the identity numbers of people who have been given medications, such as codeine which is used for pain relief and other cough mixtures.
The plan is in response to high levels of codeine abuse, particularly among young people.
"The initiative aims to ensure that all persons who are dispensed codeine medicine are recorded on a system that is available across pharmacies and other dispensaries to curb pharmacy hopping, clinic hopping or doctor hopping by persons who abuse codeine," said SAHPRA's spokesperson Madimetja Mashishi.
He said the initiative also aims to ensure that people are only dispensed the legal limit to assist various ailments that they may be facing, including coughs and pain management.
