Young people intoxicating drugs bought in a pharmacy without a prescription is a growing problem. The changes in the law are intended to limit adolescents' access to drugs that can be used as drugs. Which active substances are blacklisted?

Popular websites and blogs among young people abound with tips on how to deal with narcotic drugs, among which OTC preparations, which include pseudoephedrine, dextromethorphan or codeine, are prominent. On the web, you can easily find detailed instructions on how to buy in a pharmacy, prepare and use narcotic preparations. However, since July 2015, Polish pharmacists have been bound by stricter regulations regarding the sale of preparations containing codeine, dextromethorphan and pseudoephedrine. There are restrictions on both the amount of one-off sale and the age of the buyer. Pharmacists are of the opinion that the introduced restrictions are illegitimate and may make it difficult for ill people to buy basic painkillers and cold medications. Are they right?

Allowed from 18 years old …

From July 1, 2015, OTC drugs (i.e. over-the-counter drugs) containing pseudoephedrine, dextromethorphan or codeine can only be purchased at a pharmacy by people over 18 years of age.

The US Food and Drug Administration banned the sale of pseudoephedrine OTC drugs in 2006 and ordered the market to be monitored. The drug is obtained in limited quantities upon presentation of a prescription, photo ID, and sales data are archived for 2 years.

In case of doubt, the pharmacist or pharmaceutical technician is required to check the age of the buyer. It cannot sell more than one package of a given medicinal product. It was also forbidden to sell drugs by mail order, the dispensing of which is limited by the patient's age - OTC products with codeine, pseudoephedrine or dextromethorphan can be dispensed only in pharmacies and pharmacy points. But a pharmacist or pharmaceutical technician may refuse to dispense a medicinal product with these substances not only to a person under 18 years of age. He also has the right to do so if he suspects that the drug will be used for non-medical purposes or may pose a threat to he alth and life.

This way I try to limit myselfaccess to intoxicating drugs for irresponsible adolescents. Unfortunately, the sick can also suffer. The substances listed in the recipes are the most important ingredients of the most popular painkillers and cold medications.

"Censored" substances

The age restriction on access to drugs applies to preparations containing one of the three psychoactive compounds.

  • Dextromethorphanis an opium alkaloid derivative that has no analgesic properties but is useful as an effective antitussive agent. It can be purchased in the form of a syrup or tablets. The main risk of taking this medication incorrectly is related to the stimulation of the central nervous system. Symptoms of overdose: itching and redness of the skin, pupillary effects, increase in body temperature and, above all, behavioral changes, incl. robotic gait, psychosis, aggression or restlessness. Central nervous system stimulation is associated with visual and auditory hallucinations, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting and constipation.
  • Codeineis a natural alkaloid found in opium, which is metabolized in humans to produce a small amount of morphine. It is used in preparations that inhibit the reflex of unproductive, tiring, dry cough. It also shows little analgesic activity. It is this effect on the respiratory center that may be the main risk of misuse of the drug. Opioid poisoning may be accompanied by coma, constricted pupils and shortness of breath or arrest. Symptoms of overdose: cyanosis or pale skin, hypothermia with chills, excessive sweating, scratching skin, yawning, watery eyes, constriction of the pupils.
  • Pseudoephedrineconstricts the mucous membranes. It is often a component of cold and allergy medications. Unfortunately, it can also be used as a raw material for the production of methamphetamine, a dangerous synthetic drug. Symptoms of overdose: convulsions, rapid and shortness of breath, hallucinations and psychosis, increased blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias, restlessness and excitement.

Recipes are not perfect

The new regulations did not include all substances available in over-the-counter pharmacies that are used for intoxication by adolescents. For example, benzydamine - available in a preparation for vaginal irrigation, was omitted. Pharmacists point out that the new regulations to limit the sale of intoxicating OTC drugs to adolescents are impractical. Just as they get alcohol, young people can also circumvent the age restriction. One-time optionbuying only one package is not an obstacle in gathering more of it - young people will visit more pharmacies.

Worth knowing

The "po" pill from the age of 15

An important age restriction introduced in Polish pharmacies in 2015 applies to a preparation containing ulipristal acetate - also known as the "morning after" pill or emergency contraception. After the European Commission allowed this preparation to be sold in pharmacies without a prescription at the beginning of the year, by the decision of the European Commission, on the initiative of the Ministry of He alth, an age restriction regarding its availability was introduced in Poland. The morning after pill is for over-the-counter sale only to persons aged 15 years and over. This is due to the fact that in our country 15 years is the so-called age of consent - in accordance with Art. 200 of the Criminal Code, sexual intercourse with a minor under the age of 15. As a result, a pharmacist or a pharmaceutical technician may refuse to release the said preparation to a person who, at his request, does not document the age of 15.

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