Cold and flu medications containing pseudoephedrine are back on store shelves, but pharmacies are being careful about who they sell to.
The Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand (PSNZ) Published guidance It called on members to respond to possible inappropriate requests for drugs.
Pseudoephedrine was banned by John Key’s National Party government more than a decade ago, despite being useful as a decongestant because it can be used to make methamphetamine.
PSNZ chairman Michael Hammond said the guidelines on the sale of pseudoephedrine were similar to other medicines which have “the potential for abuse”.
“We are advising pharmacies that if they are concerned about inappropriate requests, they can ask for identification when recording patient details during the transaction,” he told Morning Report on Friday.
“They could also take the approach of selling the smallest amount possible on each occasion and, if they are unsure about the person in front of them, may refuse to provide the drug if there is evidence that excessive amounts of pseudoephedrine have been purchased.”
“Alternatively, if they are concerned about infestations, we recommend stocking as little as possible. Or they can decide not to stock medication.”
He said pharmacies are not required to stock pseudoephedrine and wanted the public to be aware of that.
Nor did they have to sell it to anyone who wanted it.
“Pharmacists have a very individualized approach to care, so they look at the patient, the customer, in front of them, look at any other medical conditions they have, any other medications they may be taking, any symptoms they’re experiencing, and determine if this is an appropriate medication, if it won’t interfere with other medications they may be taking, and… [pseudoephedrine] It is not an appropriate treatment.”
Alternatives include painkillers, anti-inflammatories and nasal sprays, he said.
Pharmacists who don’t stock the medication may recommend other places to buy it.
“Even if they don’t have it in stock, they are experts in medicines and can advise the patient on the best course of treatment. And if it’s a medicine that contains pseudoephedrine, they can direct the patient elsewhere,” Hammond said.
PSNZ had previously called for “a real-time monitoring system where when pharmacists supply medicines such as pseudoephedrine they can log into the system to see if patients have already been supplied with that medicine,” chief executive Helen Morgan Banda said in a statement.
“That’s not happening yet, so our focus right now is looking at how we can provide educational resources to help pharmacists have the right conversations with patients about the right medication for their condition.”
The reinstatement of pseudoephedrine was a pledge made by the ACT Party ahead of last year’s election.
