The Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals is proposing a bylaw amendment to end the storage and sale of low dosage, behind-the-counter Exempted Codeine Products (ECPs) by pharmacists.

These changes mean that ECPs will no longer be stored or sold within Saskatchewan pharmacies after these bylaw amendments are approved. The proposal is set to be heard mid February and if approved here are some things we can expect to see:

- ECPs will no longer be sold in Saskatchewan after approximately September 2019, depending on approval of the proposed bylaw amendments by the Minister of Health.

- ECPs are found to have numerous health risks, including dependence, potential for overdose, liver failure, slowed heart rate, life-threatening biochemical imbalances, respiratory depression and arrest, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, stomach pain, nausea, and death.

- There are safer nonprescription alternatives to ECPs, including acetaminophen and ibuprofen for pain, or dextromethorphan for coughs.

- Codeine will continue to be available to patients at higher dosage levels with a Physician’s prescription.

Jeana Wendel, from the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals said, "One of the main reasons for the change is because low dose ECPs are sub therapeutic products, meaning that there isn't enough active ingredient at the proper concentration to be provide a therapeutic benefit."