France restricts dextromethorphan and codeine

18 July 2017 - Deborah Wilkes

France has reverse-switched medicines containing the cough suppressant dextromethorphan from non-prescription to prescription status with immediate effect. A decree signed on 12 July 2017 by Agnès Buzyn – France's new minister of solidarity and health – also restricts medicines containing the analgesic and cough remedy codeine to prescription status.