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New Zealand is set to reintroduce over-the-counter sales of cold and flu drugs in pharmacies, removing unnecessary red tape and providing greater freedom and choice to consumers.
Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced on Tuesday that cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine will be reclassified from prescription to restricted medicines. This reclassification will enable the public to purchase these medicines from pharmacies without needing a prescription.
Seymour emphasized that pseudoephedrine was originally banned due to concerns about its potential use in methamphetamine production. However, he noted that criminal organizations have found more effective methods of obtaining pseudoephedrine for manufacturing methamphetamine, which should be the focus of efforts to combat drug-related issues.
“Alternative cold and flu medicines have been shown to be no more effective than a placebo. New Zealanders are being denied decent cold and flu medication, but the gangs are selling more methamphetamine than ever,” Seymour stated.
The proposed changes involve introducing a bill to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 and making adjustments to the Medicines Regulations 1984 to reclassify pseudoephedrine.
While consumers will be able to purchase these medicines directly from a pharmacist, there will still be oversight in place. Restrictions on importing and exporting these medicines will also be retained.
However, the reintroduction of pseudoephedrine is expected to take some time due to considerations related to supply chains and product preparation. It is anticipated that the medication will be back on pharmacy shelves by 2025.
Rhys Ponton from the School of Pharmacy at the University of Auckland highlighted that pseudoephedrine was removed from community pharmacy sales in 2011 over concerns about its role as a precursor to methamphetamine production. However, this restriction did not significantly impact methamphetamine availability or use in New Zealand, as evidenced by police and customs seizure data.
Ponton cautioned that the return of pseudoephedrine should be closely monitored for any potential impact on criminal methamphetamine supply. He also emphasized the importance of addressing pharmacists’ concerns regarding security risks associated with the reintroduction of these medicines.
