Pholcodine cough medicines withdrawn in UK over allergy fears

Pharmacists told to stop supplying 20 brands after review finds raised risk of rare anaphylaxis in people who later have general anaesthetic

Health officials have withdrawn 20 brands of dry cough medicine amid concerns they can trigger sudden, life-threatening allergic reactions in people who go on to have a general anaesthetic before surgery up to a year later.

Pharmacists have been ordered to stop supplying medicines that contain the cough suppressant pholcodine immediately and to quarantine all remaining stock before returning the products to the relevant supplier.