Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, February 20, 2024
After David Seymour pledged to restore over-the-counter sales of the drug as part of his election campaign, Pseudoephedrine will soon be allowed back on shelves under the new government following a twelve-year ban.
Taking into account supply chains and the ability of companies to prepare products, it is expected the medication will be back on shelves in 2025.
What the discussion is about
The drug has been a prescription-only medication since 2011. It is a key precursor ingredient in the manufacture of methamphetamine. It is prescribed for sinus decongestion under the brand name Sudafed in New Zealand.
A bill amending the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 is being introduced, and changes to the Medicines Regulations 1984 are being made, to reclassify pseudoephedrine, Associate Health Minister David Seymour said in a media statement.
“The coalition government is delivering on its commitment to making principled decisions by getting rid of red tape that does not make sense and allowing sick New Zealanders greater freedom and choice to purchase effective cold and flu medicines.”
“Cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine will be reclassified from prescription to restricted medicines, which will allow the public to purchase these medicines from a pharmacy without a prescription.”
“Pseudoephedrine was banned because of fears it would be used for methamphetamine production. The reality is that the gangs have far more effective ways of obtaining pseudoephedrine to manufacture methamphetamine and we should tackle these head-on instead.”
“Alternative cold and flu medicines are 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. The current law is not working and that is why the government is acting.”
Processes to be established
The use of these medicines will still be subject to a level of oversight as consumers will be required to purchase them directly from a pharmacist. Restrictions on importing and exporting these medicines will also be retained.
The pharmaceutical companies must apply to Medsafe for product approval in New Zealand. Medsafe will expedite the process to approve the medicines as quickly as possible.
“Removing the ineffective ban on the sale of pseudoephedrine is a principled decision to remove unnecessary red tape and give New Zealanders greater choice and freedom over their own lives,” said Mr Seymour.
Mr Seymour also said that reversing the ban on pseudoephedrine would be part of “long overdue” health reforms.
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Hamilton.
