Cough syrup containing codeine phosphate will become prescription-only in the UK following reports of misuse of the medicine and concerns about patients becoming addicted to the drug.
The medicine for dry coughs, called codeine linctus, has been reclassified by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), following a public consultation that received more than 990 responses from experts, patients and health-care professionals. Reports of abuse of the cough syrup in a recreational drink dubbed “purple drank” began to surface in 2019.
“Codeine linctus is an effective medicine for long term dry cough, but as it is an ...
Learn more about Bloomberg Law or Log In to keep reading:
See Breaking News in Context
Bloomberg Law provides trusted coverage of current events enhanced with legal analysis.
Already a subscriber?
Log in to keep reading or access research tools and resources.