Pubdate: Fri, 16 Dec 2005 Source: Medicine Hat News (CN AB) Copyright: 2005 Alberta Newspaper Group, Inc. Contact: http://www.medicinehatnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1833 Author: Tenille Tellman PHARMACISTS WILL MONITOR COLD REMEDIES Effective immediately, one of the main ingredients used in the production of crystal methamphetamine will be moved under the watchful eye of local pharmacists. Following an amendment to provincial regulations, Alberta will follow the lead of other prairie provinces by limiting access to cold remedies that can be used to make crystal meth. Single-entity pseudoephedrine, found in cough and cold remedies, will be reclassified as a Schedule 2 drug, requiring it and medications containing it to be placed behind the pharmacist's counter. Health Minister Iris Evans says she hopes the move will reduce the production and sale of the dangerous and highly addictive drug. "With all of the western provinces now on board, we are now able to make a unified push to control the production of crystal meth," Evans said in a recent news release. "By restricting the sale of the main precursors of the drug we hope to reduce the production and sale of this dangerous drug." Two of the primary ingredients in crystal meth are ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, medications used to treat sinus congestion. Many ephedrine products are already classified as a Schedule 1 drug, requiring a prescription for access. "I think we've made the right move to continue our fight against crystal meth without unnecessarily limiting access to medications that Albertans may legitimately need," said Evans. Alberta's move follows announcements by Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. Ontario is considering similar restrictions. Carol Secondiak, chair of the Palliser Health Region and a member of the provincial crystal meth drug task force, agreed with these new restrictions. "Is it the answer to the whole problem of crystal meth production? No, but it's one small part that might discourage some, even one person, from making a batch of this stuff in the kitchen or the garage, or whatever the case may be," said Secondiak. She said the change may not necessarily affect the big dealers, but should prove to be a step in the right direction. "If you do have a cold, you can still get it, you just have to ask for it." Shane Rathwell, a pharmacist at the Crescent Height Boylan Drugs, said medications kept behind the counters are easier to regulate. "When it's sold through the pharmacy, from behind the counter, we create a (computer) profile with the patient's name, even if it's not a prescription," said Rathwell. "Then we know who's buying it and of course, with pseudoephedrine if they're going to buy that, if they're asking for large quantities, that's going to give you a clue that they're not using it for what they should be." Miles Maughan, a pharmacist at MacKenzie Drugs, said having these medications behind the counter makes it easier to counsel on the advantages and disadvantages. It also helps in monitoring who is purchasing the product. "If we see the person an awful lot of times, we'll ask them to sign for it," said Maughan. He suspected the move of the medications behind the counter will happen immediately. "Most of that's been behind (the counter) for a long time." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake