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Cold and flu medication - Source: ONE News -
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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) are disappointed alternatives such as software that immediately passed on details of sales are 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 on Thursday announced that pseudoephedrine, a main ingredient in many cold and flu medication, will become a Class B2 prescription-only drug.
People will now have to go to their doctor for a prescription before they can 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 can not be used as a precursor for P estimated to be effective for about 80% of people.
NZSMIA executive director Tim Roper says the partial ban is extreme and unjustified.
He says cold medicines are safe and effective and patients should not suffer because of the actions of criminals.
The association supported the use of software that immediately passes 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 says requiring a prescription will disadvantage some patients but classifying it as a Class B2 drug means it can 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 says most precursors used in illegal drugs are imported and pharmacists work hard to ensure only those who need the medication get it.
The society has pushed for implementation of a programme to monitor all sales of pseudoephedrine medicines, known as Project STOP in Australia where it has 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 has offered a free year trial of the programme, he says.
The effectiveness of alternatives using Phenylephrine are questionable, he says.
"It's certainly not as good as pseudoephedrine."
Labour MP Clayton Cosgrove says his party is supportive of the package but he is concerned the law-abiding public is being punished for the actions of a few.
He says if alternatives, such as Project Stop, are 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 are supportive of the package which includes stronger border controls and more help for addicts.
Police assistant commissioner Viv Rickard welcomes 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 will be tagged for additional rehabilitation beds, frontline workers, improved helpline and greater power for compulsory treatment is welcomed by Odyssey House in Auckland, which cares for addicts.
Odyssey chief executive Christine Kalin says drugs such as P are highly addictive but residential treatment is 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 says.
The Salvation Army, National Committee for Addiction Treatment and Stellar Trust also welcome the announcements.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentpete here said on 2009-10-09 @ 16:30 NZDT: Report abusive post
After watching Close Up last evening it is apparent that Paul Holmes is living in denial that he as a parent has to face some of the responsibility for his families ordeal with the drug P and for him to justify the latest draconian law to the majority of New Zealanders is disgusting as in the case of Pensioners a trip to the Doctors for a Prescription can mean the difference in eating and going hungry but then as a millionaire he obviously doesn't give a damn about that
MysticCradle said on 2009-10-09 @ 09:49 NZDT: Report abusive post
As for the supporters of the computer ID programme, does the law abiding NZer know how easy it is to create a fake photo ID? Especially when there is so much money at stake. Just another problem for the police to deal with. Good on the govt. for being heavy handed in this case.
Billyollox said on 2009-10-08 @ 21:16 NZDT: Report abusive post
This may cost businesses a lot more money. People with access to flu remedies containing pseudoephedrine may only have couple of days off work with the average cold/flu, but if they have to wait a couple of days to first see a doctor (cause you can very rarley get in to see a doctor on you first day off sick) and then have to pay for the perscription. I can imagine the average Joe Bloggs will end up taking a week off instead.
ydnew said on 2009-10-08 @ 19:39 NZDT: Report abusive post
Good on you Paul Holmes you a quite right in what you had to say
chrisd55 said on 2009-10-08 @ 19:35 NZDT: Report abusive post
I'm on a benefit-I can barely afford to, and I don't, go to the Dr now, even with a recurring condition when I ideally need to-with very little available to budget. I buy whatever helps any health problems, whereever is cheapest to do so-I am so tired of having less choice, and more expensive options being touted as mere inconsequential inconveniences.Let the 99% law abiding people retain their rights- and really target the criminals/import rings etc-instead of the other way around!!!