Codene banned in Greece...!

[keelbolt]

According to my local pharmacist, anyway. Went along to discuss the contents of my first aid kit with the local pharmacy. Took the recommended list from Solas2, and the Pharmacist said: 'Hope you'r not going to Greece with that". Claimed that Codene in all its forms was a banned drug, and that dire penatlies awaited the unlucky skipper caught with the stuff in his first aid kit.

Seems a bit like the Dutch and Red Diesel - not really sure how Brits can avoid the problem. Has anyone come across this one before?

 

[Guest]

Last few pages of:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/kfile/NOTES_on_GREECE.doc

and for the stats:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?page...d=1156397845776

 

[ccscott49]

I'm not really surprised, it's an opiate and is only allowed on prescription in UK. Over a certain limit, cant remember but 10 mg I think, as they have 10mg in the paracetamol mix, which is not dihydro codiene anyway, but codiene sulphate.

 

[Davy_S]

I posted a while ago that it was illegal out here, it has been for quite a few years. The Greeks dont go searching for it in every yacht arrivals medical kit though, it is just something to be aware of.

 

[Koeketiene]

a) A law introduced in August 1987 provides very SEVERE SENTENCES FOR DRUG OFFENCES. For example, possession of even a small quantity of narcotics is punishable by a prison sentence of up to 15 years and a very high fine. Other offences carry prison sentences of up to 20 years as well as very high fines. Anyone convicted of causing the use of narcotic substances by individuals below the age of 18 years may be imprisoned for life and face an extremely high fine. Under this law over 100 substances are classified as narcotics. The possession, trafficking or use of the following non prescriptive drugs is prohibited: Hashish, Marijuana, Heroin, various Hallucinogens such as: LSD, STF, Mescaline and except by permission of the Greek authorities the following prescriptive drugs: Cocaine, Codeine, Opium, Morphine, Demerol, Methadone, all synthetic narcotics, opium derivatives, amphetamines. Persons visiting Greece in possession of these prescriptive drugs should contact the nearest Greek Consulate before they travel.

 

[KellysEye]

Before we left the UK we went to our doctor and got a long list of prescription drugs, including Codene. We knew it is illegal in a number of countries. However we (and our doctor) believe that having a copy of the prescription covers "possession" and the likely action would be for the authorities to simply confiscate the Codene. That's the theory, it hasn't been tested yet.

 

[steve_cronin]

So...

the Greek government thinks that it knows better than a PROPERLY qualified (not MY words, those of a Greek doctor in Gouvia) british trained doctor does it?


F*****g primitives! Although generally, I love them there are times when I wonder if I'm doing the right thing by intending to spend a lot more time there in the future.

Steve Cronin

 

[tgpt21]

From my days in the Drug Squad: Dihyrdrocodeine DF118 is a controlled drug in the UK. I think it was and still is classB. So you could get six of the best here in the UK if found in possession, and if it is in the first aid kit and you intend to prescribe it for your crew then it could be possession with intent to supply.
Or is plain old codeine different?

 

[steve_cronin]

Absolutely NOTHING to do with your post but...

...I just noticed your "nom de web"

Plod retires and puts on his Flip Flops eh? Cool!!

Steve Cronin

 

[ccscott49]

Re: So...

Simple really, isnt it? Just dont take codiene with you.
Why do you need it?
Plenty of other painkillers around and the use I used to get prescribed with it, was coughing, one of the best cough suppresants, if not the best.
Very hard to get a doctor to prescibe it these days anyway.

 

[steve_cronin]

Re: So...

[ QUOTE ]
Why do you need it?


[/ QUOTE ]

Medical man too eh? Astounding1
!

No matey, If my doctor DID prescribe it for me (& he has, in a combination form, before now) then I would rather trust HIS judgement than that of a third world administration like that of Greece and certainly than yours, with the greatest of respect.

Steve Cronin

 

[ccscott49]

Re: So...

It was a question, not pointed at you, pointed at the original poster, sorry.

You may well need it as a potent painkiller, but are you sure it was dihydro codiene and not codiene sulphate in the combination? That apparently is OK. Available over the counter in most european countries. But no good as a cough suppresant, so I'm told.

By the way, not a medical man, just what the medics told me, when I had the stuff. So I found out about it.

 

[KellysEye]

Re: So...

If it makes the Greeks primitive...it's illegal in America too. Enough said really ;-)

 

[KellysEye]

>you intend to prescribe it for your crew then it could be possession with intent to supply.

That raises an interesting question in general about what happens if the skipper prescribes something and it all goes wrong. We got round that by having all our drugs prescribed to both of us. Therefore there is no "supply" and no one to blame.

 

[Davy_S]

Re: So...

Steve, last year, a surgeon in Patras saved the sight of my wifes eye in an emergency operation, i certainly would not class the Greeks as a third world administration, or F#####g primitives!

 

[Oliveoyl]

Re: primitive Greek health care

And in April this year, Popeye's old leg-threatening diabetic foot got nasty. Was seen within 1/2 hr in Corfu, by a doc who really knew his diabetic onions. Excellent treatment, excellent percscription. So maybe the administration is 3rd world (altho codeine is no longer available over the counter in 3rd world Belgium), but 10/10 for the treatment

 

[Koeketiene]

Re: primitive Greek health care

[ QUOTE ]
altho codeine is no longer available over the counter in 3rd world Belgium

[/ QUOTE ]

Really?
Got Dafalgan with codeine over the counter in Ostend last week.

 

[billskip]

Re: So...

Sorry Steve

Cant accept a Knock against the Greeks In the manor of "f*****g primitives.

I suffered a serious heart attack in Epidavros and was taken to a local hospital then transfered to a second hospital then on to a specialist heart hospital in Tripoli..all three hospitals worked very hard under emergency conditions.

They eventually stabalized me and after 12 days I was let out and advised to go imeadiatly to the UK and see my GP.

This I did and he read the notes (in english) from the Greek specialist and imeadiatly requested an apointment with the heart specialist at the hospital....

I recieved my apointment date ........ for 10 MONTHS LATER!

 

[steve_cronin]

Re: primitive Greek health care

I didn't criticise the treatment.

Steve Cronin

 

[steve_cronin]

Re: So...

I wan't criticisning the treatment (#2)

Steve Cronin