Global research project investigates codeine addiction
The Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) in Ireland is leading a €2m research project, known as ‘CODEMISUSED’, delving into codeine use, misuse and dependence in Ireland, the UK and South Africa.
The CODEMISUSED Project was selected for funding under the FP7 Marie Curie Industry Academia Partnership and Pathways strand and has been accepted onto the register of EC funded studies on the ENCePP register of the EMA. As part of this research project, WIT will collaborate closely with the CARA Pharmacy Group and other industry and educational institutions.
Codeine, the most commonly consumed opiate in the world, is an over the counter painkiller and anti-diarrhoeal. Although its effects are milder than heroin, the abuse potential for codeine is a major concern for medics, pharmacists and addiction treatment providers. People can become physically dependent on codeine in as little as three days, thus making the estimation of safe dosages difficult and the potential for addiction.
Principal investigator Dr Marie Claire Van Hout said: “Given the difficulties in estimating the extent of this ‘respectable form of addiction’, CODEMISUSED is intended to promote the rational use of codeine products amongst the public as well as those involved in prescribing and dispensing. Ultimately we intend to design several innovations to support and educate customers and empower pharmacies as custodians of codeine medicines.”
This 48-month project is supported by an Expert Advisory Panel with representatives of the European Medicines Agency, European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa and Royal Pharmaceutical Society UK.
Adding his thpoughts, Pádraig McGuinness, lead researcher and pharmacy services manager at the CARA Pharmacy Group, said: “Codeine misuse remains a sensitive issue for our pharmacists and for many patients throughout Ireland. As a pharmacy team which values patient care and safety above all else, we hope the results will ultimately improve the care patients receive from Irish pharmacy as a whole.”
