Fears pain sufferers are stockpiling ahead of codeine crackdown

There are fears pain sufferers who will no longer be able to purchase medications containing codeine over the counter soon are stockpiling ahead of the change.

From Thursday, products including Nurofen Plus, Panadeine and Mersyndol will be banned for sale without prescription.

Community pharmacist and former Pharmacy Guild national president George Tanbassis said requiring prescriptions for codeine-based medications will slow down the process for pain sufferers and "there may be an extra cost as well."

"There are a lot of patients out there that are concerned," Mr Tanbassis told 9NEWS.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration said the decision to require prescriptions is based purely on safety, with accidental drug overdoses now more likely to be caused by pharmaceutical drugs than illegal drugs.

It is believed codeine is responsible for about 100 deaths a year - approximately two deaths every week.

Australian Medical Association vice president, Dr Tony Bartone, has commended the TGA’s decision to reclassify codeine.

“These medications are serious medications,” Dr Bartone told 9NEWS.

“Opioid dependency is a worldwide problem. It is an area that needs urgent attention.”

The changes are expected to affect millions of Australians living with chronic pain.

Anyone who routinely uses codeine is encouraged to seek medical advice from their doctor before the changes kick in.