Pubdate: Fri, 19 Jan 2007
Source: National Post (Canada)
Copyright: 2007 Southam Inc.
Contact:  http://www.nationalpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286
Author: Tom Blackwell
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

NEW RULES MAY AID CRYSTAL METH MAKERS: REGULATORS

Ephedrine-Based Remedies Can Be Sold With No Controls

Just when pharmacy regulators had devised ways to control the sale of 
medicines used to cook up a potent street drug, new natural-health 
product rules could make those ingredients more readily available to 
criminals, the regulators are warning.

A spokesman for Tony Clement, the federal Health Minister, said 
yesterday the government shares those concerns.

Health Canada is licensing ephedrine-based remedies as natural-health 
products, meaning they can be sold in most provinces with virtually 
no controls, and amid an aura of wholesomeness, the pharmacy 
overseers say. But ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are key ingredients 
in crystal meth, a powerful stimulant that is taking over as one of 
Canada's most popular -- and dangerous -- street drugs.

Although much crystal meth is imported or made here with ingredients 
acquired in bulk, some home manufacturers purchase retail products to 
transform into the illicit substance.

Conventional over-the-counter drugs are subject to new guidelines 
that suggest pharmacists keep cold and cough remedies consisting 
mainly of ephedrine behind the counter.

The sale of similar natural health products in health food stores, 
gyms and elsewhere is virtually unregulated, however.

The National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Agencies (NAPRA) 
raised concerns about that process at a meeting in November with Health Canada.

"What about all the work we've done with our provincial governments 
to try and keep a handle on these products? Does that mean that 
suddenly it's a free for all?" asked Don Rowe, head of the 
Newfoundland and Labrador pharmacy board.

"Did anybody think of that in advance before they gave out natural 
product [licences] for ephedrine and pseudoephedrine?"

Erik Waddell, a spokesman for Mr. Clement, said the government is 
actively investigating uses of precursor drugs, and looking at the 
implications of licensing some of them as natural health products.

"We have identified it. It is a problem," Mr. Waddell said. "It is a concern."

The federal government may eventually recommend that sale of the 
natural health ephedrine products be restricted. But first it is 
carrying out an extensive "ephedrine mapping" project to track how 
and by whom the precursor drugs are being used, Mr. Waddell said.

Crystal meth, known scientifically as methamphetamine, has emerged as 
a "major drug threat" in Canada in recent years, the RCMP said in its 
2005 drug report, noting that 29 meth labs had been raided.

The powerful stimulant generates an intense rush, but can make users 
anxious, paranoid and aggressive and cause strokes or heart failure. 
It is often highly addictive, and withdrawal symptoms are reportedly 
worse than for heroin or cocaine.

The drug can be made relatively easily in amateur labs, mixing 
ephedrine with a dozen or so other substances, such as red 
phospherous and iodine. One recipe on the Internet calls for two 
packets of Contac 12-hour tablets to produce three grams of crystal meth.

NAPRA issued guidelines last year that suggest single-ingredient 
ephedrine or pseudoephedrine products, mainly decongestants, be kept 
behind pharmacy counters and dispensed directly by a pharmacist. 
Several provinces have adopted the rules.

But the pharmacy regulators say that for various reasons they cannot 
oversee sale of natural health substances, a new class of drug 
introduced in 2004.

Health Canada has already licensed at least nine ephedrine or 
pseudoephedrine remedies as natural-health products, in doses ranging 
from 8 mg to 60 mg.

Although home meth labs using retail products are not a huge problem 
yet in Canada, they have been in the United States and regulators 
here wanted to stay "ahead of the curve," said Ken Potvin, NAPRA's 
executive director.

The natural-health system "certainly introduced a new environment and 
we need to keep our heads up," he said.

"Definitely it is a concern," said Greg Eberhart of the Alberta 
College of Pharmacists.

In B.C., though, police indicate that most of the meth labs use 
wholesale supplies of precursor drugs, not retail tablets, so it is 
not a big issue yet, said Marshall Moleschi, registrar of the B.C. 
College of Pharmacists.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman