IWC Media is developing a documentary about drug users in their 50s and 60s.

Absolutely non judgmental in tone, we are looking to explore people's experiences and opinions of OTC drug use in those age groups and uncover the reality of living with drugs for people in their 50’s and 60’s.

All calls will be confidential. If you're interested in talking to us about your own opinions and experiences or know someone who may be, please get in touch with Fiona Wilson, Producer for IWC Media. Fiona can be reached on 0141 353 8417 or by emailing Fiona.Wilson@IWCMedia.co.uk

More information on IWC Media can be found online but previous documentaries include Stephen Fry: Secret Life of the Manic Depressive & Terry Pratchett: Living with Alzheimer's.

Monitoring over-the-counter sales of opiates including codeine-based pain killers should be considered as a way of tackling drug misuse by so-called "respectable addicts", according to a public health academic.

The call by Richard Cooper, a lecturer in public health at the University of Sheffield, follows his research into the misuse of OTC opiates which was funded by the Pharmacy Practice Research Trust.

His findings, published in a report (PDF) by the PPRT last week (2 September 2011), reveal the frustration that community pharmacists feel because they are unable to track the supply of opiates to customers from other pharmacies.

He found that the profession traditionally adopts a monitoring role in OTC opiate misuse based on frequency of purchase.

However, "respectable addicts" — a term for people who are usually respected professionals secretly addicted and who blame themselves for the abuse — said the questions asked by pharmacists and counter assistants about their OTC purchases were often "ineffective".

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The "Samauri Approach" views detox as a battle and the symptoms of detox as enemy forces whose power can be countered by being forewarned. As in any battle, to maximise your chances of success and minimise the dangers, you must arm yourself, prepare your battle strategy and repair your fortifications before doing battle with the enemy.

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New guidelines for Codeine-based Pain Killers

The medicines and Healthcare product Regulatory agency (MHRA) have recently announced new guidelines for Codeine based painkillers to minimise the risk of overuse and addiction.

Weldricks Pharmacy chain produced this awareness leaflet which is given out at the Point Of Sale with Codeine based painkillers.

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This artwork is (c) Codeinefree 2009 and (c) Weldricks Pharmacy 2009. For more details, please visit www.weldricks.co.uk

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Almost 10 million Britons suffer pain almost daily. Many of these people manage pain themselves, with over 300 million packs of over the counter (OTC) analgesics sold in the UK each year.

To help promote appropriate use of OTC analgesics, the Proprietary Association of Great Britain (PAGB) and the British Pain Society (BPS) have published a leaflet that can be used with patients to explain how to manage pain effectively using OTC medicines.

The ‘Managing your pain effectively using “Over the Counter” (OTC) Medicines’ leaflet covers the following information areas:

• The safe use of medicines in managing pain
• How different OTC painkillers work
• The importance of reading all pack instructions, labelling and the need to understand different OTC pain management ingredients
• Guidance on recognising mismanagement of OTC medicines such as codeine
• Recognising issues such as chronic daily headache
• Making the best use of all OTC analgesics

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This artwork is (c) PAGB 2010 and (c) British Pain Society 2010.

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A taper plan or, slow taper, is a way of coming off codeine which minimises the withdrawl side effects. The leaflet details how to work out a plan along with tips and an example plan.

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Please note: A taper plan is not suitable if you are taking a large amount daily.

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Codeinefree has produced three awareness posters for display in GP Surgeries, Pharmacies and Health Center's.

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All information provided on this site is indended for information only and should not be misconstrued as medical or legal advice. OTC medicines are invaluable when used correctly and in accordance with the instructions. Messages posted on our forum are the views and opinions of the original poster only and the administrators take no responsibility for them.

This web site is not indended to promote OTC (Or any other) drug misuse.