Estonia Ends OTC Access To Codeine

Concerns over addiction to, and deliberate misuse of, codeine in Estonia has led the national regulator to reverse-switch the opioid from OTC to prescription-only status.

Flag of Estonia flies against blue sky with sun behind
• Source: Shutterstock

Estonia is set to reverse-switch codeine to prescription-only status in a move which will bring the country in line with most EU member states.

From 1 January 2023, codeine-containing drugs will no longer be available OTC, Estonia’s medicines agency, Ravimiamet, has announced. The regulator...

HBW Podcast

Explore how consumer health is evolving. On the go.

David Ridley hosts in-depth conversations with industry leaders.

More from Europe

More from Geography