When did codeine rescheduling limit consumer access to over-the-counter opioids?

The correct answer, February 2018, corresponds to the time when the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) implemented regulations that rescheduled codeine, bringing significant changes to its availability. The changes specifically affected the way codeine could be prescribed and dispensed, restricting its use in over-the-counter medications that contained codeine in combination with other medications. This rescheduling was aimed at addressing issues related to opioid misuse and dependency, reflecting growing concerns over opioid-related health crises.

Prior to this regulation, certain preparations containing codeine were available in many countries without a prescription, facilitating consumer access. The move to limit this access in February 2018 was part of a broader effort to combat the opioid epidemic. As such, the regulations directly impacted patients who previously could obtain these medications more easily, thereby emphasizing the government's focus on ensuring safer medical practices and mitigating risks associated with opioid medications.