Deputy Health Minister David Seymour;
photograph: RNZ / Angus Dollieber
Pseudoephedrine is expected to return to pharmacy shelves soon.
Deputy Health Minister David Seymour said Medsafe had approved 11 cold and flu medicines, including this drug.
Drug suppliers have indicated they could be able to supply the first products in June, much sooner than earlier expectations that the drug would be available over-the-counter without a prescription by 2025.
Mr Seymour said the changes would bring New Zealand into line with Australia, Canada, the UK and the US.
“The Government recognizes that New Zealanders want these medicines for the winter and we will achieve this by amending the law quickly and overseeing an expedited approval process through Medsafe. I played my part in doing so.
“The only step left for pharmaceutical companies is to get medicines into our country, and they have shown that they can do that by winter.”
Legislation to reclassify pseudoephedrine from a Class B to a Class C controlled substance passed final reading this week with support from all parties.
Mr Seymour said fears that pseudoephedrine could be used to make methamphetamine were unfounded and that safeguards to prevent misuse would remain in place.
“Its status as a controlled drug and precursor substance will be maintained. Restrictions on the import and export of these medicines remain in place and New Zealand Police and New Zealand Customs can seize illegal products.”
