Safety fears prompts some UK cough remedies to be withdrawn from shelves

A number of cough medicines sold behind the counter at pharmacies are being withdrawn from the shelves due to safety concerns.

Health experts have said there is a very small chance that some people could experience an allergic reaction linked to an ingredient in the medicines called pholcodine.  Products containing the ingredient do not need a prescription, but cannot be purchased without consultation with the pharmacist as they are kept behind the counter.

Pholcodine has been used as a cough suppressant since the 1950s, but recent evidence suggests there is a very small chance, believed to be less than one in 10,000, that some users may experience a severe allergic reaction if they later have surgery needing a general anaesthetic which involves the use of a muscle relaxant or “neuromuscular blocking agent”.

Dr Leyla Hannbeck, from the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, said it was a “big operation” to remove the products from pharmacy shelves, but stressed alternative cough and cold medicines were available.

“Pharmacies across the UK take patient safety very seriously and will be assisting with the recall of these products.

“Patients with coughs and colds should contact their local pharmacy for the best advice about the range of alternative products available.”

Professor Claire Anderson from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said “The risk to patients who have used pholcodine is very small.  If you are due to have surgery, please speak to your pharmacist or medical team for advice.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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