The HSE is seeking permission from An Bord Pleanala to place nets around pharmacists and their shops to prevent them from throwing codeine to their customers.
New guidelines for the sale of codeine, which came into effect this month, mean pharmacists can no longer distribute the drug without ensuring their customers know how to use medication properly.
“Most pharmacists are compliant,” a HSE source said. “However there is a reckless minority who believe their customers are adult and wish to treat them as such.”
“We believe the nets, which have been hugely successful at reducing the drug supply into Mountjoy, will prevent these pharmacists from reaching their customers with codeine,” he added.
