Confusion reigns over cold pills

Prime Minister John Key repeated yesterday his intention to have pseudoephedrine-based medications available at local pharmacies after the drug is reclassified as a prescription-only Class B2 controlled drug.

This despite contradictory advice from his chief scientific adviser, Professor Peter Gluckman, that a Class B2 classification under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 "would have the effect of ... restricting supply to hospital pharmacies only".

A Beehive spokesperson yesterday refused to say Sir Peter was "wrong", but insisted that under regulations governing Class B2 drugs, the Minister of Health would be able to delegate prescribing rights to any medical practitioner, and that local pharmacies, not just hospitals, could choose whether to dispense the drug.

The tightening of control over pseudoephedrine is part of the Government's crackdown on the illicit drug P.

But even if you find an "approved" doctor, obtaining the medication once it is reclassified will be a laborious process.

Tackling Methamphetamine: an Action Plan, released on Monday, says "the prescription would require completion in triplicate, with copies retained by prescriber, pharmacist and Ministry of Health Medicines Control. A number of regulatory requirements would also be required such as restrictions on dose, and recordkeeping and reporting requirements."

The document also notes a Cabinet decision to "invite Medsafe to review the status of pseudoephedrine as a medicine with a view to delisting it". If accepted, that would lead to a total ban.

Ministry of Health officials failed to respond to requests for the regulations on prescribing of Class B2 drugs.