Opioid policy
Customer Care
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This policy governs the supply of codeine-based and opioid-containing medications through Online UK Pharmacy. All customers must read, understand, and agree to this policy before purchasing any opioid medication.
1. Legal and Regulatory Compliance
- This policy ensures compliance with:
- General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) standards
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) guidelines
- UK legislation on controlled substances and prescription medications
- Professional standards for remote prescribing
2. Eligibility Requirements
Age Restriction
- Minimum age: 18 years or older
- No exceptions permitted
Intended User
- Medication must be for personal use only
- Purchases for another person are strictly prohibited
- The customer completing the consultation must be the person using the medication
3. Clinical Safety Requirements
Prior Treatment Requirement
- Customers must have tried first-line pain relief before requesting codeine-based products, including:
- Paracetamol
- Ibuprofen or other NSAIDs
- Other appropriate non-opioid analgesics
Requests will be declined if no other treatments have been attempted.
Duration of Symptoms
- Suitable for acute pain lasting less than 2 weeks
- Pain lasting 2-4 weeks requires pharmacist review and clinical justification
- Pain lasting more than 4 weeks is considered chronic and will result in automatic decline
- Customers with chronic pain must consult their GP
Maximum Treatment Duration
- Codeine-based medications should not be used for more than 3 consecutive days without medical supervision
- Continued use beyond this period requires GP consultation
4. Addiction Prevention Measures
Purchase Restrictions
- Maximum quantity: One pack per order
- Frequency limit: No purchases of codeine products within the previous 3 months
- Customers attempting to purchase multiple packs will be automatically declined
Addiction Risk Screening
- Decline if the customer:
- Has purchased codeine-based products in the last 3 months
- Has a history of substance abuse or addiction
- Is currently taking other codeine or opioid medications
- Shows signs of medication-seeking behavior
5. Medical Contraindications
Absolute Contraindications (Decline)
- Customers will be declined if they have:
- Respiratory Conditions:
- Severe asthma or COPD
- Sleep apnea
- Respiratory depression or breathing difficulties
- Neurological Conditions:
- Head injury
- Increased intracranial pressure
- Organ Function:
- Severe liver disease
- Severe kidney disease
- Gastrointestinal Conditions:
- Bowel obstruction
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Paralytic ileus
- Cardiovascular:
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Reproductive Health:
- Pregnancy
- Trying to conceive
- Breastfeeding
- Allergies:
- Known allergy to codeine or other opioid medications
- Previous adverse reactions to opioids
6. Drug Interactions
High-Risk Interactions (Decline)
- Customers taking the following will be automatically declined:
- MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors)
- Sedatives or tranquilizers
- Sleeping pills
- Regular alcohol consumption
- Other CNS depressants
Medication Review Required
- Customers taking other prescription or over-the-counter medications will undergo pharmacist review to assess:
- Potential drug interactions
- Cumulative sedative effects
- Appropriateness of concurrent use
7. Clinical Assessment Process
Mandatory Confirmations
- All customers must confirm they have:
- 1. Read and understood the Patient Information Leaflet
- 2. Read and agreed to this Opioid Policy
- 3. Understood the 3-day maximum use guideline
- 4. Understood the addiction risks associated with codeine
Failure to confirm any of these will result in the order being declined.
Pharmacist Review Triggers
- A registered pharmacist will review the consultation if:
- Customer reports other medical conditions
- Customer is taking other medications
- Symptoms have lasted 2-4 weeks
- Any clinical concern is flagged during the consultation
Decline Authority
- The pharmacist reserves the right to decline any request if:
- Clinical safety cannot be assured
- Responses indicate inappropriate use
- Information provided is incomplete or inconsistent
- Professional judgment determines the medication is unsuitable
8. Customer Responsibilities
Information Accuracy
- Customers must:
- Provide complete and truthful information
- Disclose all relevant medical conditions
- List all current medications accurately
- Update information if circumstances change
Safe Use Commitment
- Customers must:
- Use the medication only as directed
- Not exceed the recommended dose
- Not use for longer than 3 consecutive days
- Seek medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen
- Store medication safely away from children
Reporting Obligations
- Customers must report:
- Any adverse reactions immediately
- Lack of improvement after appropriate use
- Any concerns about dependence or tolerance
9. Supply Limitations
Quantity Restrictions
- One pack maximum per order
- No repeat purchases within 3 months
- No stockpiling permitted
Frequency Monitoring
- Online UK Pharmacy maintains records to prevent:
- Frequent purchasing patterns
- Multiple account creation
- Circumvention of safety restrictions
10. Professional Standards
Clinical Governance
- All consultations are:
- Reviewed by UK-registered healthcare professionals
- Assessed against GPhC and MHRA guidelines
- Documented in accordance with legal requirements
- Subject to clinical audit and quality assurance
Right to Refuse
- Online UK Pharmacy reserves the right to:
- Decline any consultation at professional discretion
- Request additional information before supply
- Refer customers to their GP for further assessment
- Report concerning patterns to appropriate authorities
11. Patient Safety Commitment
- Online UK Pharmacy is committed to:
- Preventing opioid misuse and addiction
- Ensuring appropriate use of codeine-based medications
- Protecting vulnerable individuals
- Promoting safe and effective pain management
- Encouraging appropriate healthcare pathways
12. Agreement Requirement
- By proceeding with this consultation, you confirm that you have:
- Read this policy in full
- Understood all restrictions and requirements
- Agreed to comply with all terms
- Acknowledged the risks associated with opioid use
Failure to comply with this policy may result in declined consultations and inability to purchase opioid medications from Online UK Pharmacy.
Last Updated: January 2026
Review Date: January 2027
For questions about this policy, contact Online UK Pharmacy through our website: https://onlineukpharmacy.co.uk
