After major concerns about the rapidly rising rates of abuse and addiction, access to painkillers which contain codeine might be restricted across New Zealand within a mere months.

As per recommendations shared by the New Zealand Medicines Classification Committee, pack sizes of all medicines which contain the drug should be made smaller, and should only be sold directly by pharmacists.

Medsafe, the country's medicines regulator, has shared that there are currently some 30 pain relievers circulating in the market which contain codeine, including popular brands like Panadeine and Nurofen Plus.

Codeine is most commonly used as a base for the illegal manufacturing of "homebake" heroin.

As of now, medicines with the agent are available over the counter and are displayed on pharmacy shelves, but the MCC wants that these should be available through direct sale by a pharmacist alone.

Reports have speculated that New Zealanders spend an estimated 13 Million NZ Dollars (US$9.6 Million) every year on the combined codeine painkillers.