UK Weighing Reverse-Switch Of OTC Codeine Cough Syrups

18 Jul 2023

UK consumers may soon lose OTC access to cough syrups containing codeine after MHRA said the products were increasingly being misused as an ingredient in an illegal recreational drink commonly named “Purple Drank.”

Cough syrups containing codeine could soon be available only on prescription in the UK if a proposal to withdraw their OTC status goes ahead.

Prompted by numerous reports of misuse, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is consulting on reverse-switching codeine linctus...