Fri, 09 Oct 2009 6:15a.m.
John Key yesterday announced that pseudoephedrine would become a Class B2 prescription-only drug
The Government is being accused of a heavy-handed approach by banning over the counter sales of cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine.
The Labour Party, the Pharmaceutical Society and New Zealand Self Medication Industry Association (NZSMIA) were disappointed alternatives such as software that immediately passed on details of sales were not introduced instead.
However police and organisations that work with addicts have welcomed the move and other measures boosting border control and funding rehabilitation services.
Prime Minister John Key yesterday announced that pseudoephedrine, a main ingredient in many cold and flu medication, would become a Class B2 prescription-only drug.
People would now have to go to their doctor for a prescription before they could purchase it.
Medsafe has been asked to consider if a total ban on pseudoephedrine, used to make the illegal drug "P", pure methamphetamine, should go ahead.
There are alternative medications containing Phenylephrine which could not be used as a precursor for P estimated to be effective for about 80 percent of people.
NZSMIA executive director Tim Roper said the partial ban was extreme and unjustified.
He said cold medicines were safe and effective and patients should not suffer because of the actions of criminals.
The association supported the use of software that immediately passed on details of sales.
"Government will regret this move when medical professionals are besieged by people wanting prescriptions for an effective cold or flu medicine."
Pharmaceutical Society chief advisor Euan Galloway said requiring a prescription would disadvantage some patients but classifying it as a Class B2 drug meant it could be further restricted; for example, only available to patients with certain health conditions.
"This B2 is pretty draconian," he told Radio New Zealand.
His society said most precursors used in illegal drugs were imported and pharmacists worked hard to ensure only those who needed the medication got it.
The society had pushed for implementation of a programme to monitor all sales of pseudoephedrine medicines, known as Project STOP in Australia where it had resulted in significant reduction in diversion for illegitimate purposes.
"It's a tool to assist you making a decision as to whether a person is genuine or not because you can see on-line, live, where that identification has been used in the past hour, past week, past date and make a decision as to whether that person is shopping for pseudoephedrine for nefarious purposes."
Australia had offered a free year trial of the programme, he said.
The effectiveness of alternatives using Phenylephrine were questionable, he said.
"It's certainly not as good as pseudoephedrine."
Labour MP Clayton Cosgrove said his party was supportive of the package but he was concerned the law-abiding public was being punished for the actions of a few.
He said if alternatives, such as Project Stop, were considered and ruled out the public should be told.
"You've got to be careful when you pass legislation that you don't end up whacking a huge cost onto the law abiding person."
Police and rehabilitation organisations were supportive of the package which included stronger border controls and more help for addicts.
Police assistant commissioner Viv Rickard welcomed the ban and other measures.
"Police support the control of pseudoephedrine as it would allow us to concentrate resources and work with Customs on preventing the importation of precursors from overseas."
A customs anti-drug taskforce will be created with 40 customs officers to be redeployed, the police will focus on gangs and those who make P and will have new powers to search for evidence.
An extra $22 million funding would be tagged for additional rehabilitation beds, frontline workers, improved helpline and greater power for compulsory treatment was welcomed by Odyssey House in Auckland, which cares for addicts.
Odyssey chief executive Christine Kalin said drugs such as P were highly addictive but residential treatment was highly effective.
"For every person addicted to P there is a mother, a father or a son or daughter who knows first-hand the devastation this drug causes," she said.
The Salvation Army, National Committee for Addiction Treatment and Stellar Trust also welcomed the announcements.
NZPA
