The SA Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) recently collaborated with the investigative TV programme Carte Blanche in uncovering the illicit bulk sale of codeine-based cough mixtures (broadcast on 8 October).
The report related to illicit bulk sales of codeine-based cough mixtures by a pharmaceutical group – verified by the investigation – where the individuals were exposed for violating the Medicines Act and its regulations, including for the manner under which controlled substances’ products were sold, among other contraventions.
SAPHRA said the abuse of codeine “is becoming a ubiquitous practice and it is appalling when a custodian of medicines, entrusted with improving/restoring people’s health, deliberately puts the lives of the public at risk and compounds the problem”.
CEO Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela said: “The extent and severity of the abuse of codeine-containing medicines is especially rife among our youth … we continue to be on high alert in preventing, detecting and responding to such unethical behaviour and the illicit sale, use or trafficking of scheduled medicines.”
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Cheap, over-the-counter codeine fuels SA schoolchildren’s addiction
SA under-prepared for rising codeine addiction
Looming UK ban on over-the-counter codeine syrups
Addiction epidemic sees Nigeria ban cough syrups containing codeine