PHARMACISTS across Bunbury are exhausted from dealing with aggressive customers addicted to over-the-counter pills and have called for stronger measures to combat the growing problem.
In 2012, the Bunbury Mail reported that dozens of people across the local community were struggling with a codeine dependency and pharmacists were doing their best to manage the issue.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia released a position statement in March this year which noted the steady increase in abuse of over-the-counter codeine medicines.
The Society stated that addicts may take up to 100 tablets a day, which can lead to liver and renal failure.
Wizard Warehouse pharmacist Mary Anne Baluyot said it could be a struggle to make judgement calls to distinguish between addicts and customers with a genuine need for painkillers in the busy Victoria Street store.
When customers buy a codeine product, such as Panadeine, Nurofen Plus and Mersyndol, pharmacists must give their nod of approval to retail assistants.
Ms Baluyot said employees working on the frontline use their local knowledge to alert her to anyone who may be at risk of harmful addiction.
“I have a request for refusal at least a couple of times a week and people tend to get quite aggressive when they can’t get what they want,” she said.
“It would be a good idea to have a recording system so that we can see if someone is ‘pharmacy shopping’ across the area.”
Another Bunbury pharmacist, who did not want to be identified, said employees already working long shifts were exhausted from having to deal with weekly abuse when they refused to sell the drug.
She said some customers would scream expletives at staff if they were asked for a doctor’s script.
Australia’s drug regulator is considering a proposal to make about 150 codeine products prescription-only medicines.
A July meeting of a Therapeutic Goods Administration committee will discuss whether codeine should be made a ‘‘schedule 4’’ drug that requires a doctor’s prescription.
A WA Health spokesperson said the department was aware of concerns regarding dependence to over-the-counter codeine medicines and had been in discussion with the pharmaceutical industry on the matter.
The department will await the outcome of a current national review before considering any further action to address the issue.
If you need help, contact the South West Community Drug Service on 9721 9256.
