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AAP
AAP
Health
Robyn Wuth

Wastewater shows codeine use plunges

Wastewater shows the use of codeine has fallen after it was withdrawn from over-the-counter sales. (Melanie Foster/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

The ban on over-the-counter sales of codeine has led to a 37 per cent overall drop in its consumption across Australia, according to new findings from wastewater sampling.

Scientists compared wastewater samples taken between 2016 and 2019, 18 months before and after codeine was rescheduled to a prescription drug, according to the study published in Addiction.

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