MHRA issues addiction warning on over the counter medicines

This from the Nursing Times

My comment underneath.

Packs of over the counter medicines containing codeine and dihydrocodeine are to carry new warnings about the risk of addiction, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced today.

As part of a new package of measures designed to minimise the risk of overuse and addiction, the medicine packs and patient information leaflets will also carry clear warnings about the importance of not using the medicines for more than three days.

Revised guidance on the use of these products will state that they should only be used to treat moderate, acute pain that is not relieved by simple pain killers, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Indications that they can be used to treat colds, flu, coughs and sore throats will be removed, the agency said, and packs containing more than 32 tablets will no longer be sold over the counter but will only be available on prescription.

MHRA director of vigilance and risk management of medicines, Dr June Raine, said: “The MHRA is ensuring that people have clear information on codeine containing medicines, on what they are to be used for and how to minimise the risk of addiction. These products can be addictive and we are taking action to tackle this risk.”

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My take:

I Applaud the MHRA on stepping in to include addiction warnings but am left somewhat flabberghasted as to why they have not issued the same warnings for SSRi's?

The evidence is quite overwhelming regarding SSRi addiction yet the MHRA seem reluctant to issue the same warning. SSRi's are used to treat depressed people, if an addiction warning was slammed on the pack or patient information leaflet it would probably deter doctors from prescribing and/or people from taking it. That, I believe, is the sole argument the MHRA have regarding this massive SSRi addiction problem. Personally, and their CEO, Kent Woods, knows my personal story, if the MHRA do not deem my own experience with Seroxat as an addiction problem then I doubt very much if they will listen, or more importantly, act upon other people's addiction problems with the whole SSRi family of drugs.

AT LEAST GIVE PEOPLE THE CHOICE!

Let's not pussy foot around any more. SSRi's ARE addictive. By ignoring this the MHRA are sticking two fingers up to advocates and patients alike.

I'm pissed off this morning after reading this. It's a smack in the face, a kick in the teeth, a two fingered salute from the MHRA to ALL those who have worked hard in getting the SSRi addiction message across.

A copy of this will be sent to the MHRA 'heads' whom I, and others, have corresponded with in the past.

I really don't want to go back to the days of chastising CEO's but if they wish to treat me and others with obvious disdain then it's time to re-evaluate whether talking to them is actually beneficial any more.

If the MHRA think for one minute they will silence advocates by 'listening' then they are very much mistaken.

Totally and utterly pissed off!

Fid

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'THE EVIDENCE, HOWEVER, IS CLEAR...THE SEROXAT SCANDAL' By Bob Fiddaman
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