Doctor Hilary has issued Good Morning Britain viewers advice following the recall of a number of cough medicines.
The medical professional appeared on the ITV morning show on Wednesday to outline some precautions that should be taken after pharmacies, including Boots and Superdrug, removed various medicines from shelves.
The decision to remove the products, which was taken by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), follows concerns over very rare risks of allergic reaction. To give some more insight, Dr Hilary Jones discussed the issues with GMB hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls.
The doctor explained that 20 medicines are being withdrawn due to the inclusion of ingredient pholcodine, reports The Mirror.
Dr Hilary went on to tell the hosts that pholcodine is a 'very common' opioid-based ingredient found in various medicines as a cough suppressant.
He said: 'I have to say, this is a precaution. The risk of this anaphylactic reaction is very, very small. However, safety is paramount."
Dr Hilary then cited a very rare possibility that people who have taken the medicines could experience an allergic reaction when combined with general anaesthetic.
"If you have an unexpected need for a general anaesthetic, you tell the anaesthetist that you might have taken pholcodine at some point in the previous year," the doctor suggested.
"They will say, don’t worry, we’re quite confident and skilled in dealing with anaphylaxis should it happen – we’ll be ready.
"It’s not going to stop anyone having an operation at all. I have never seen this reaction in 45 years of medical practice. Most doctors won't have," Dr Hilary added.
He continued: “The advice people are being given is to go and talk to a pharmacist and say what are the alternatives?
“The pharmacist will say, give me that back, I'll dispose of that for you and suggest alternatives – hot lemon and honey, steam inhalation, lozenges.”
The risk of reaction is 'tiny', as pointed out by the medical professional before he told Ed Balls he would not throw away these medicines if he found them at home.
He explained: “It’s an effective dry cough remedy which has been around for 70 years.”
Professor Claire Anderson, president of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said: “All products containing the cough suppressant pholcodine have been withdrawn due to concerns of its potential to cause a severe allergic reaction in some people having general anaesthesia for surgery.
“The risk to patients who have used pholcodine is very small. If you are due to have surgery, please speak to your pharmacist or medical team for advice.
“This withdrawal is needed as safety of patients is paramount and we support efforts to ensure that all medicines on the market are safe and effective.”
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