A survey has found that 70 percent of pharmacists are concerned or very concerned about the potential adverse effects of the ordinary use of codeine-based pain-killers sold over the counter.
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Even more - 98 percent - are concerned or very concerned about the adverse consequences of misuse of such medicines.
The survey was commissioned by the trans-Tasman firm AFT Phamaceuticals, which makes a non-codeine-based analghesic.
However, it said it did not mention this product in its survey form.
Most of the pharmacists who responded mentioned the risk of patients becoming dependent on the products.