Opioid Policy

Our policy in relation to opioid painkillers

Opioid painkillers, such as codeine, dihydrocodeine, tramadol, co-codamol and co-dydramol, can be addictive and UK Meds Direct Ltd (www.ukmeds.co.uk) has to ensure that they are being used in a safe and appropriate manner. As a result, UK Meds Direct Ltd (www.ukmeds.co.uk) follows the guidelines listed below:

  • Only one type of opioid painkiller will be supplied to a customer at any one time.
  • In order for a prescription to be issued by a doctor, you will need to provide detailed information on your condition. For example, if you just enter ‘pain’ as the reason for requiring the medication, your order may be delayed or even cancelled.
  • There is a maximum number of tablets/caplets/capsules that will be dispensed to a customer in any one order. UK Meds Direct Ltd (www.ukmeds.co.uk) follows the dosage guidelines recommended in the British National Formulary (BNF). These guidelines are listed next to each type of opioid painkiller. You can refer to them when adding an item to your basket.
  • As per point 2 above, to ensure that BNF dosage guidelines are followed, if an order is placed early, then that order will be held with payment and only released at the correct time.
  • If we become aware that a customer has ordered from UK Meds Direct Ltd (www.ukmeds.co.uk) and from other suppliers at the same time, we will reduce or cancel the order so that the total amount of medication supplied to any one person does not exceed the maximum BNF dosage guidelines.
  • Customers are expected to use their own card to pay for an opioid and will be required to provide proof of their date of birth before a second order is dispatched.
  • UK Meds Direct Ltd (www.ukmeds.co.uk) is particularly careful in prescribing for younger people i.e. under 25, since it is very uncommon for individuals within this age group to have a condition which will require opioid painkillers
  • For patients 21 and under permission will be requested from their GP before we can supply opioid painkillers to them.
  • In exceptional circumstances customers may use someone else’s card to pay for an opioid but they will be required to provide proof of their date of birth and home address before the current order can be dispatched.
  • The billing address for the card should be the same as the delivery address. In occasional cases, a work or holiday address may be used, however, proof may be required.
  • If several people request opioid painkillers from the same address or within close proximity of a particular address, then these orders are likely to be refused, and customer accounts closed.
  • If you are regularly ordering opioid painkillers then you will routinely be subject to review by the clinical lead prescriber.
  • Due to the nature of controlled drugs such as these, we are unable to offer free delivery options on opioids. This is because we need to ensure that they reach you in a safe and timely manner, so only next day services are available.
  • As a responsible provider of prescription medication, (www.ukmeds.co.uk) has to take all necessary measures to ensure that people ordering opioid drugs are using them in an appropriate manner. Opioid drugs are dangerous drugs if they are used incorrectly or recreationally and this policy is in place to prevent the medicines we provide from being misused in any way.