Millions of Brits at risk of addiction to OTC medicines

A survey for ITV’s Tonight programme found that over 1 in 3 users of non-prescription codeine could be at risk of addiction through use beyond the guidance period. Painkillers containing codeine and either ibuprofen or paracetamol can be bought at pharmacies without a prescription, unlike more than 25 other countries where rules changed in 2018 to reduce the risk of abuse and addiction.