And when they "see their GP"- what happens then? Our practice has no
skills in dealing with, nor contract for dealing with, drug
dependency. Our local drug service has its time more than full with
dealing with its current caseload.
2009/9/11 Jeff Green <[log in to unmask]>:
> Adrian Midgley wrote:
>>
>> 2009/9/11 Jeff Green <[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
>>
>> John Glasspool wrote:
>> > What's wrong with codeine?
>> It's an opiate, with a potential for addiction.
>>
>> This is true...
>>
>>
>>
>> It's always sold mixed with either paracetamol or ibuprofen and
>> therefore can be dangerous when abused.
>>
>>
>>
>> By whom?
>
> Sold by pharmacies, dangerous for the (ab)user.
>
>
>> It is commonly (and best) prescribed as a separate drug, and people may
>> indeed need to take Paracetamol as well.
> OK I've nearing retirement and haven't worked for almost a fortnight -
> but there used to be a a significant number of scripts for
> co-codamol/co-dydramol.
>
>> I think you are off-target.
> You have mistaken our target ;)
>
>> If you are against combination tablets of drugs toxic in moderate
>> overdose with codeine then please be sufficiently specific about it.
> No we aren't against the drugs - though we do have reservations about
> the way they are sold/prescribed.
> We regret that some GPs seem unable to acknowledge or support their
> patients that have a prescribed or OTC opiate addiction.
>
> www.codeinefree.me.uk is mainly about supporting individuals but also
> informing about the potential for addiction.
>
>> I suggest that what pharmacists sell is up to them, and if they believe
>> it is bad, they should decline to sell it.
>
> Which does what to help the addict? Other than forcing them to go to a
> wider range of pharmacies to support their addiction.
> Refer them to their GP's? Yes, but many patients feel unable to do that.
>
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7730039.stm
> Talking about addicted doctors/dentists
>
> "The over-riding emotion that doctors and dentists feel is guilt - guilt
> at having let themselves, their patients and their families down"
>
> That feeling of guilt isn't restricted to doctors and dentists.
>
> It isn't always easy to be sensible (do you really want me to link to
> GMC cases were doctors have become addicted to codeine/dihydroceine and
> then not acted sensibly?. Once you accept that people are not always
> sensible then www.codeinefree.me.uk is another option - it offers
> support and maintains anonymity while encouraging people to see their GP.
>
>
> Jeff
>
--
Dr John Glasspool
Barge House,
Timsbury,
Romsey,
Hampshire
SO51 0NG
UK
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