A gang of about six young men are prowling the parking lot of the Spar on General Pienaar Avenue, attempting to harass members of the public into buying them codeine-containing cough syrup at the Witpoortjie Pharmacy, which refuses to sell them the product any longer.
Codeine, which is an opiate, is an addictive narcotic that gives a sense of calm and well-being which makes it attractive, even after pain or a cough is relieved.
According to the pharmacist, who may not be named, the situation is now out of hand. She said they’d been forced to take measures to curb the problem. They keep a computerised Schedule 2 register to record purchases of codeine-based medicines, and do not supply such products to customers unless they produce identification. If the pharmacist notices a pattern that implies abuse, they refuse to sell the product. They have also implemented a rule that a bottle of codeine-containing cough syrup can only be purchased by a person every five days.
The pharmacy also complies with the Codeine Care Initiative. This initiative promotes safe and responsible self-medication. The initiative’s information pamphlet states that it “uses a 2D barcode printed on the packs of all codeine-containing medicines and a very secure central database to monitor the national purchase of these products”.
The pharmacist said the gang consists mostly of Zimbabwean nationals, and that codeine is no longer available in their country. The two most popular brands are Broncleer and Stilpane Syrup – because they are cheap.
“When we implemented the measures, the gang went so far as to threaten the staff with violence. On more than one occasion, we have been asked to sell them the codeine by the case,” said the outraged pharmacist.
The Medicines and Related Substances Act of 1965 was amended in March this year, re-scheduling most codeine-containing medicines as Schedule 2 products, but, if the substance contains more than 10mg of codeine per 5ml dose, it is regarded as a Schedule 3 medicine, which will only be available on prescription.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
Also read:
New dangerous drug trend among school children
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Randfontein Herald, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
