Some major news in both the community pharmacy and pharmaceutical sectors today. The MHRA has issued a relatively rare Drug Safety Update and Class 2 Medicines Recall directing that pholcodine-containing products be immediately withdrawn from sale.
The link between pholcodine and an increased risk of anaphylaxis during general anaesthesia was already known. However, the findings of a new study further strengthened the evidence of this link, leading MHRA to conclude that the benefits of pholcodine no longer outweigh the risks.
In short, no more Day Nurse capsules, Covonia or similar for me!
The full Class 2 Medicines Recall can be reviewed at the following link. Essentially, healthcare providers must stop supplying pholcodine-containing products immediately and must quarantine all remaining stock for return to the supplier. Patients are advised to tell their anaesthetist prior to surgery if they have taken any pholcodine, particularly in the preceding 12 months.