CPC Warns against Consumption of Medication Containing Codeine

* Classifies it narcotic substance

The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has warned members of the
public against consumption of medication containing codeine.

The Executive Secretary of CPC, Mr. Babatunde Irukera, in a
statement said the warning was issued pursuant to Section 2(c),
(e), and (j) of Consumer Protection Council Act 2004.

According to Irukera, even though codeine has not been declared
as an illegal drug, it can be classified as a narcotic
substance.

He stated: “Codeine is an opiate, and one of many in the opioids
family. It is therefore classified as a narcotic substance,
although not an illegal drug. Codeine is largely used as a pain
reliever and cough suppressant. As such, it is an active ingredient
in some expectorants or cough syrups.

“Currently, and in exercise of the regulatory authority of the
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control
(NAFDAC), expectorants/cough syrups containing codeine may not be
dispensed as non-prescriptive Over the Counter (OTC)
medication.”

As such, he said, it was illegal and a violation of law to
attempt to purchase, as well as dispense any of such medication,
except exclusively in accordance with prescription by a qualified
and legitimate medical practitioner.

He further warned that “any possession, delivery or provision of
these medications in the absence of a prescription, or legal
acquisition but dispensing to a person other than whom it is
specifically prescribed for, is a violation of law, constitutes
drug abuse, and presents significant medical risks including
possible injury, risky behaviour, addiction, and in extreme cases
(especially pediatrics), fatality”.

In particular, he said, codeine is implicated in serious adverse
effects when taken with, or contemporaneously with alcohol or
carbonated drinks.

Irukera stressed that these methods of mixtures negatively
interact and have become a serious and dangerous pattern which pose
significant risks of debilitating side effects including
respiratory difficulties, nervous system deficiencies and mental
impairment.

To this end, he said that emerging professional medical and
regulatory preference is to prohibit prescription of cough
medication containing codeine to minors because of its properties
and propensity to promote addiction and other exposure to illegal
drug use.

The council, he stated, advises that cough medication with
codeine should be prescribed, dispensed and administered in an
abundance of caution and only in strict compliance with
professional medical direction, and in any case not prescribed for,
dispensed to, or administered to minors.

The CPC boss also reminded consumers that violation of law with
respect to dispensing, possessing and consuming illegal drugs, or
legal drugs illegally is criminal and may subject offenders to
apprehension, detention and prosecution, including by the NDLEA,
and upon conviction, a sentence to a term of imprisonment.

* Classifies it narcotic substance

The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has warned members of the
public against consumption of medication containing
codeine.

The Executive Secretary of CPC, Mr. Babatunde Irukera, in a
statement said the warning was issued pursuant to Section 2(c),
(e), and (j) of Consumer Protection Council Act 2004.

According to Irukera, even though codeine has not been declared
as an illegal drug, it can be classified as a narcotic
substance.

He stated: “Codeine is an opiate, and one of many in the opioids
family. It is therefore classified as a narcotic substance,
although not an illegal drug. Codeine is largely used as a pain
reliever and cough suppressant. As such, it is an active ingredient
in some expectorants or cough syrups.

“Currently, and in exercise of the regulatory authority of the
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control
(NAFDAC), expectorants/cough syrups containing codeine may not be
dispensed as non-prescriptive Over the Counter (OTC)
medication.”

As such, he said, it was illegal and a violation of law to
attempt to purchase, as well as dispense any of such medication,
except exclusively in accordance with prescription by a qualified
and legitimate medical practitioner.

He further warned that “any possession, delivery or provision of
these medications in the absence of a prescription, or legal
acquisition but dispensing to a person other than whom it is
specifically prescribed for, is a violation of law, constitutes
drug abuse, and presents significant medical risks including
possible injury, risky behaviour, addiction, and in extreme cases
(especially pediatrics), fatality”.

In particular, he said, codeine is implicated in serious adverse
effects when taken with, or contemporaneously with alcohol or
carbonated drinks.

Irukera stressed that these methods of mixtures negatively
interact and have become a serious and dangerous pattern which pose
significant risks of debilitating side effects including
respiratory difficulties, nervous system deficiencies and mental
impairment.

To this end, he said that emerging professional medical and
regulatory preference is to prohibit prescription of cough
medication containing codeine to minors because of its properties
and propensity to promote addiction and other exposure to illegal
drug use.

The council, he stated, advises that cough medication with
codeine should be prescribed, dispensed and administered in an
abundance of caution and only in strict compliance with
professional medical direction, and in any case not prescribed for,
dispensed to, or administered to minors.

The CPC boss also reminded consumers that violation of law with
respect to dispensing, possessing and consuming illegal drugs, or
legal drugs illegally is criminal and may subject offenders to
apprehension, detention and prosecution, including by the NDLEA,
and upon conviction, a sentence to a term of imprisonment.