New regulations administering the retail and use of pain killers including codeine, comprising major leaders such as Nurofen Plus and Panadeine, are intended at lowering dependence and damage among the millions who frequently use them.

So starting today, people asking for powerful pain relievers will give pharmacists a slight headache.

Now, Steve Merrick, an associate in the Allenstown Plaza Pharmacy, will have to take down customers’ details and see whether to sell them the drugs or not.

Steve said, “Ultimately we pharmacists now have to keep track of patients and their need for pain relief”.

He said that it will mean additional work for them and botheration for the most of the consumers who use the goods for the right purpose.

Steve explained that codeine products were sitting on the shelves till yesterday, but from now they would be kept out of reach.

He remarked that Codeine is a very strong drug and some persons exploit them to get a high, while others become addicted.

He added that if pharmacists were uncertain in any case, they can refer the patient to a doctor or give another pain killer, which doesn’t include codeine.