The upscheduling of combination analgesics containing codeine: the impact on the practice of pharmacists.

Background: Prior to the 1st May 2010 some combination analgesics containing codeine (CACC) were available for sale over the counter (OTC) in Australia with no requirement for input from a pharmacist. Since then the upscheduling of these medications requires the involvement of a pharmacist in all OTC CACC sales.

Objective: To explore how the upscheduling of OTC CACC has impacted the practice of community pharmacists.