Drugs and AlcoholOver the Counter Codeine Use Misuse and Dependence (CODEMISUSED).Marie ClaireVan HoutauthorJohnWellsauthorMartinaGooneyauthorMichaelBerginauthorMichelleFoleyauthorContemporary research has underscored the need for ‘increased pharmaco- vigilance’ around codeine dispensing as the most commonly consumed opiate worldwide. Codeine represents an interesting quandary in terms of its regulated status, with individuals varying in their metabolism of codeine, estimation of safe dosages, and potential for misuse and dependence. Although effects are milder than heroin, potential for habit forming use, misuse and addiction remains of concern, with physical dependence occurring with regular use over a short period of time. Within trajectories of codeine use, misuse and dependence, a variety of distinct sub groups exist in the form of pain patients, elderly, youth, parents, recreational, problematic and opiate dependent drug users, and each with their own motives, patterns and outcomes for use. Increases in addiction treatment uptakes and reporting of adverse health consequences relating to additives in combination analgesics containing codeine and ibuprofen/paracetamol are observed globally. The CODEMISUSED collaboration are investigating this public health issue in order to present data on prescribed and over the counter (OTC) codeine use, misuse and dependence in partner countries and from a variety of perspectives (codeine patients, prescribers, pharmacists, addiction treatment specialists, drug users, customers and addiction treatment patients) so as to inform the design of patient information, professional competency training and education, primary care and pharmacy risk detection, surveillance and monitoring, referral, treatment and detoxification initiatives for innovative use in the pharmaceutical, pharmacy medical and treatment professions. Industry (pharmacy chains) and academia exchanges in the form of secondments of staff, workshops, seminars and conferences have occurred throughout the duration of CODEMISUSED to date, and have been paramount to the informed success of work package design, implementation of research by virtue of the collaboration, exchange knowledge and expertise from academics and pharmacy staff. 85% of the inter-sectorial secondment months have been completed. All Marie Curie Fellows are involved in outreach when on secondment which involves dissemination within the host organisation, and home organisation on return from secondments, and also engaging with local services and key stakeholders whilst on secondment and whilst working on the scientific objectives of CODEMISUSEDOver the counter drug (medicine / medication)IrelandUnited KingdomSouth AfricaInternet retailing (online sales)Drugs and alcohol effects and consequencesCodeine2013-09-01Research Project

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