New Zealand Herald reporting Wednesday says increasing reports about the increasing misuse and addiction to painkillers containing codeine could see them moved behind the counter, as part of restricting access to the drug.

The New Zealand Medicines Classification Committee, a government advisory committee has submitted recommendations to the Health Ministry asking codeine-containing medicines to be restricted to direct sale by a qualified pharmacist, including reducing the pack size of painkillers to a five-day supply from eight.

Medsafe, the regulator for medicines said it is aware of up to 30 pain-killing medicines that contain codeine, such as, Panadeine and Nurofen Plus, with codeine also the base for illegally manufactured home bake heroin.

Although, these medicines are currently available on pharmacy shelves, the Medicines Classifications Committee would like them to be available only through direct sale by a pharmacist.

In addition, the pack sizes will be limited to a maximum five days’ supply, including carrying a warning label about codeine being addictive. A doctor’s prescription will be necessary for those wanting more than a five day supply of medicine.

Stewart Jessamine, Committee Chairman and Head of Medsafe said, these recommendations reflecting increasing rates of codeine addiction are in line with those in Australia and Britain.

Over 13 million NZ dollars (9.6 million U. S. dollars) are spent a year by New Zealanders on combined codeine painkillers.

New Zealand’s Minister of Health is expected to decide whether or not to restrict access with the next few weeks.