Is anyone still taking Co-proxamol pain killer?

[Ailsa-NRAS]

Hi there

I've just given some quotes to a journalist from the Mail on Sunday about my experience of having to stop taking co-proxamol when it was taken off the market as a regular pain killer used by many for managing different types of pain. At that time I was getting it as a named patient from my GP but then the GP withdrew even that access. This journalist is looking for a quote from someone who is still managing to get it on prescription, and wanting to know why it's important to them. If you are taking it and willing to speak to her so she can include a quote in the article, please can you let me know asap. You can be anonymous if you don't want your name published.

Many thanks

Ailsa - NRAS National Patient Champion

[Ailsa-NRAS Partner NRAS]

Thanks!

[sylvi]

I was told many moons ago to get the two separate as they are more effective that way. My go practice gives me paracetomol and codeine now.xxx

[Whowillgiveastuff]

Sorry for the delay in responding (I've only just found your post) I've been actively fighting to have Co-proxamol reinstated since my 'Named Patient' prescription was rescinded during November 2015

MHRA had deliberately protected the identity of the Co-proxamol importers from 19th August 2018 [FOI 20/549 - Ref: 18/458] until 4th November 2022 when the ICO intervened and ordered them to disclose the names.

It was obvious from the start that someone was benefitting from the scandalous price hikes for Co-proxamol.

Why does the NHS continue to spend millions on Co-proxamol when there have been direct alternatives available since 2007 for pennies?

During the 12 month period March 2020 — February 2021 NHS CCG'S squandered  £2,261,377 on Co-proxamol for just 9,906 prescriptions! This equated to the average prescription costing the NHS £228.28!

This situation continued during the period June 2021 to May 2022 NHS CCG's continued to pay the more exorbitant price spending £2,127,269 on Co-proxamol for 7,413 Items! Average cost per item £286.96

ALTHOUGH THERE WERE 2,493 FEWER ITEMS (PRESCRIPTIONS) ISSUED BETWEEN JUNE 2021 and May 2022 THE AVERAGE COST PER ITEM HAD INCREASED AGAIN!

A ‘Legal Precedence’ was set when MHRA licensed importers imported ‘DI-ANTALVIC’ as an alternative unlicensed medication which allowed slight variations in the formula for Co-proxamol IDIS in Dec 2007 and LEXON (UK) LIMITED in Oct 2008.

Formula Comparison:

Co-proxamol 32.5 mg Dextropropoxyphene 325 mg Paracetamol

Di-Antalvic 30 mg Dextropropoxyphene 400 mg Paracetamol

D Vic Capsules 30 mg Dextropropoxyphene 400 mg Paracetamol This exact alternative to Di-Antalvic has been available for import for a fraction of the price! £0.64 pence per 100 capsules (Plus import and handling charges)!

The 60,000 Named Patients who have lost their prescriptions since 2015 would have welcomed any of the close alternatives. D Vic could have been imported as an extremely cost effective alternative

IT’S APPARENT THAT CO-PROXAMOL OR EQUIVALENT REMAINS A MUCH NEEDED MEDICATION AS ALL THE REMAINING NAMED PATENTS THAT HAVE MANAGED TO FIND A CONSCIENTIOUS GP WHO IS WILLING TO CONTINUE PRESCRIBING THE BEST MEDICATION FOR THEIR PATIENT’s FOURTEEN YEARS AFTER THE BAN CAME INTO FORCE DISPITE THE ASTRONOMICAL COST TO THE NHS!

[Whowillgiveastuff]

(See above comment) I've been trying to get a journalist involved with my campaign since 2015 without success. If you still have details of the journalist I would appreciate any help you can offer.