Letter to the editors:
.....People who take codeine for valid reasons may require higher doses over time, and this can develop into dependence. Once dependent, people are likely to start doctor and pharmacy “shopping” or stealing to consume high doses and avoid withdrawal. Tighter regulation and closer monitoring of over-the-counter sales may be part of the solution, but we also need to examine the service provision for patients with codeine dependence, as current treatment services may not be adequate or appropriate. Timely access to addiction treatment is necessary to tackle the consequences of codeine dependence.