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

Wells, John S.G. and Bergin, Michael and Van Hout, Marie Claire and Mc Guinness, Pádraig and De Pleissis, Jaco and Rich, Eileen and Dada, Siphokazi and Wells, Richard and Gooney, Martina (2019) Purchasing Over The Counter (OTC) Medicinal Products Containing Codeine - Easy Access, Advertising, Misuse and Perceptions of Medicinal Risk. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 21 (1). pp. 286-295. ISSN 1482-1826

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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.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Funding Information: We acknowledge the funding received by the Codemisused Project from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under the grant agreement number 611736. Funding Information: We acknowledge the funding received by the Codemisused Project from the European Community?s Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under the grant agreement number 611736. Publisher Copyright: © 2019 Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. All rights reserved.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3000/3004
Departments or Groups:
Depositing User:	Admin SSL
Date Deposited:	19 Oct 2022 23:05
Last Modified:	03 Aug 2023 01:40
URI:	http://repository-testing.wit.ie/id/eprint/3948

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