04.06.2012
In the United States after the introduction of prescription sale of drugs containing codeine, percentage of codeine addicts significantly reduced. However, even with strict control of issued prescriptions, consumption “culture" of this drug didn’t vanish. On the contrary, it became very popular to use it among certain social groups. Special musical genres were created by codeine influenced people and the main hero of the globally popular American TV series "Md. House" regularly took Vicodin - a drug derived from codeine.
Free sale of codeine containing drugs has been prohibited in the past, until 10 years ago under the pressure of pharmaceutical corporations the ban has been removed. Corporations’ influence was so strong that re-ban was possible only after personal intervention of President.
Experts point out both positive and negative consequences of the law. On the one hand, tighter control of precursor drugs sale should improve the drug situation, blocking access to drugs. Another positive aspect of this prohibition is that many patients who previously avoided visits to the doctor and took painkillers, will now have to take their health situation more seriously. Theoretically, this will help many non-addicts to break the dependence on these drugs, which is easily developed when taking codeine containing medicines to treat flue or cough.
But here lies the first "but" that puts effectiveness of the law under the question. Clinics are not likely to cope with the massive influx of people requiring prescription for painkillers. One can easily imagine how ordinary people, who need drugs containing codeine (for example "Solpadein" or "Codelac") in particular moment, will not be able to get them just because physicians who can give a prescription do not work 24/7.
Law level of control over the process of issuing prescriptions and dispense of drugs in pharmacies is another argument against the law. Only when those things will be ordered, the law will work correctly and effectively.
Russia once again has banned drugs containing codeine. From June 1st such drugs will be sold exclusively by prescription. Tatyana Yakovleva, Chair of the State Duma's health committee, commented on the ban in following way: "... If we're talking about civilized market, these drugs must be given a “prescription drugs” status and some must be even prohibited.”
In the United States after the introduction of prescription sale of drugs containing codeine, percentage of codeine addicts significantly reduced. However, even with strict control of issued prescriptions, consumption “culture" of this drug didn’t vanish. On the contrary, it became very popular to use it among certain social groups. Special musical genres were created by codeine influenced people and the main hero of the globally popular American TV series "Md. House" regularly took Vicodin - a drug derived from codeine.
Free sale of codeine containing drugs has been prohibited in the past, until 10 years ago under the pressure of pharmaceutical corporations the ban has been removed. Corporations’ influence was so strong that re-ban was possible only after personal intervention of President.
Experts point out both positive and negative consequences of the law. On the one hand, tighter control of precursor drugs sale should improve the drug situation, blocking access to drugs. Another positive aspect of this prohibition is that many patients who previously avoided visits to the doctor and took painkillers, will now have to take their health situation more seriously. Theoretically, this will help many non-addicts to break the dependence on these drugs, which is easily developed when taking codeine containing medicines to t
