Regulator bans counter sale of cough drug

Abuse of cough medicine in Mandera County has led to a ban on over-the-counter sale of all medicine containing codeine, an addictive ingredient in the medical drugs.

An investigation done in Mandera by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) in December revealed a sharp increase in the abuse of Benylin with codeine and Coscof C, drugs used to suppress coughs. The study also uncovered rampant abuse of Cozepam tablets. The drugs were closely linked to khat chewing.

Regulatory affairs compliance specialist at PPB, Dr Anthony Toroitich, said that consumption of Benylin with codeine in Mandera had grown from 20,000 units yearly to 437,000 between January and November last year, a more than 2,000 per cent increase in use.

Over 171,000 units of Coscof C were sold over the 11 months. The drug has a lower codeine concentrate when compared to the Benylin brand.

On Tuesday, PPB issued a directive requiring those purchasing medicine containing codeine, to only do so with prescription. The ban, the board said, is to minimise the risk of overuse and addiction.

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“The board has now issued a directive that all medicine containing codeine to be a prescription only drugs. Previously one would access them over the counter without an instruction from the doctor,” said Mr Toroitich.

“In Mandera our investigation revealed an increase in the use of the drug from 20,000 to 430,000 units in less than a year, and this is an issue of great concern. This drug should be used for suppression of cough but people are using it for euphoria which should not be the case,” he said.

High doses of drugs with codeine are known to cause euphoria, feelings of being drunk and can alter consciousness.