Nigeria Pharmacists Council Starts Recall Of Codeine Cough Syrup

The Nigeria Pharmacists Council has started recalling cough syrups containing codeine from its stakeholders in compliance with Federal Government directive.

The Registrar of PCN, Elijah Mohammed, revealed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) today in Abuja.

NAN recalls that the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, had directed PCN, NAFDAC and other regulatory bodies to supervise the recall of codeine from the market.

Mohammed reaffirmed that codeine is an opioid drug similar to morphine which has been approved and accessed over the counter in low doses for relieving patients of symptoms associated with a dry cough.

According to the registrar, codeine in such preparation, usually in smaller doses, serves as a cough suppressant and relieves pain associated with the stress of coughing.

“However, due to its inherent properties when used in high doses over a long period, it has been associated with dependence and powerful addictive propensity especially when used for recreational purpose,’’ the registrar said.

Mohammed noted that the council in view of the ministerial directive has carried out enforcement exercise in Ogun, Sokoto and Nasarawa States, adding that same activity is currently going on in Adamawa.

The registrar noted that the council has met with the leadership of the National Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicines Vendors (PPNVs), among other stakeholders, in the pharmaceutical industry in order to facilitate the recall.

Mohammed, who emphasised that Codeine-containing cough preparation was not included in the approved medicines list of PPMVs, however, urged them to desist from the sales of codeine and other unethical drugs in order to guard against sanctions.

(NAN)