Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2018 Jun 27:24:1162.
doi: 10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v24.i0.1162. eCollection 2018.

A study of medical professionals' perspectives on medicines containing codeine in South Africa

Michelle Foley  1 , Tara Carney  2 , Eileen Rich  2 , Siphokazi Dada  2 , Chrisitne Mburu  3 , Charles Parry  4
Affiliations

A study of medical professionals' perspectives on medicines containing codeine in South Africa

Michelle Foley et al. S Afr J Psychiatr. .

Abstract

Background: Misuse of codeine available on prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) has been highlighted as a potential problem in South Africa.

Objective: To examine the perceptions of medical professionals regarding codeine use (prescribed and OTC), misuse, dependence and treatment options in South Africa.

Method: Data for the study were obtained using a sample of medical professionals obtained through random and convenience sampling. A quantitative methodology was employed using a structured self-administered questionnaire with closed and open-ended items. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 21; 238 medical professionals involved in the prescribing of codeine completed the questionnaire.

Results: Two-thirds of participants stated that they routinely reviewed patients prescribed codeine, and high levels of concern were expressed about the availability of OTC medicine containing codeine in pharmacies (84.9%) and on the internet (71.3%). There was agreement that medicines containing codeine should be regulated to a prescription-only medicine (85.3%). Only 22% of participants agreed that they had suitable screening methods to help with detection of codeine dependence. Eighty per cent indicated that they would welcome the opportunity for greater instruction on prescribing potentially addictive medicines.

Conclusion: There appears to be a need to improve education on consumption and risks associated with codeine use. In addition, screening tools are needed to detect those with codeine dependence. Greater data sources are now needed to examine the sale of and consumption of codeine medicines in the interest of public health.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no financial or personal relationships which may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
The responses in each thematic category as an overall percentage.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Romach M, Sproule BA, Sellers EM, Somer G, Busto UE. Long-term codeine use is associated with depressive symptoms. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 1999;19(4):373–376. 10.1097/00004714-199908000-00015 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Dada S, Harker Burnhams N, Van Hout M, Parry C. Codeine misuse and dependence in South Africa-learning from substance abuse treatment admissions. S Afr Med J. 2015;105(9):776–779. 10.7196/SAMJNEW.8172 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Myers B, Siegfried N, Parry CD. Over-the-counter and prescription medicine misuse in Cape Town-findings from specialist treatment centres: Original article. S Afr Med J. 2003;93(5):367–370. - PubMed
    1. Casati A, Sedefov R, Pfeiffer-Gerschel T. Misuse of medicines in the European Union: A systematic review of the literature. Eur Add Res. 2012;18(5):228–245. 10.1159/000337028 - DOI - PubMed
    1. American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. DSM IV-5th edition 2015. APA, VA.

LinkOut - more resources