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In response to media enquiries on control of sale of medicines containing codeine, a spokesman for the Department of Health today (August 31) said the department had always been concerned about the abuse of cough preparations.
The spokesman said codeine was a cough suppressant and had its legitimate and common use. There should be various channels through which people may have access to the medicine as a matter of convenience.
"A balance has to be struck between allowing it to be available for legitimate use and restricting its availability to control abuse."
The spokesman said that suggestions from members of the medical professions to further restrict the sale of medicines containing codeine in pharmacies would be conveyed to the Pharmacy and Poisons Board for careful consideration.
He said the use and sale of cough medicines containing codeine were regulated under stringent legislation, which had been tightened over the years.
"Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations, the sale of medicines containing codeine is restricted pharmacy and under the supervision of the registered pharmacist.
"Medicines containing 0.2% or above codeine can be sold only on a doctor's prescription.
"For cough medicine containing codeine at more than 0.1% and below 0.2%, a record has to be kept for every transaction. They are further required to be stored in a locked receptacle."
Sale in any other way is an offence with maximum penalties of $100,000 fine and 2 years' imprisonment.
"The department has stepped up and will continue the control measures having regard to the prevailing trend of abuse via inspection of pharmacies and medicine companies, conducting test purchases and prosecution of offenders.
"he department and the Police will further step up enforcement activities on illegal sale of cough medicine," the spokesman said.
Ends/Thursday, August 31, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:46
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