Pack sizes of codeine packed medicines in would now be smaller, the New Zealand Medicines Classification Committee has recommended. The committee has also said that only pharmacists can directly sell the medicines.

Panadeine and Nurofen Plus brand may be affected by the recommendation and several own brand name products containing paracetamol and codeine. This move comes following codeine being the base for the illegal manufacture of ‘homebake’ heroin.

Recommendations also state that pack sizes should contain only a five-day course and anything beyond that needs a doctor’s prescription. The packs would be labeled with a warning stating that codeine is harmful.

Stewart Jessamine, the committee's chairman and the head of Medsafe, said, “The committee's moves were in line with those in Australia and Britain, and reflected increasing rates of codeine addiction.”

New Zealand Minister of Health is expected in the coming weeks to make a decision regarding restricting access of the medicines.

Presently in New Zealand people shell out more than 13 million NZ dollars a year on these painkillers.