It's been 13 years since New Zealanders could buy pseudoephedrine over the counter — but that's all about to change.
The Government has begun the process of allowing sales of cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine, a measure that's been celebrated by some and criticised by others.
We look at why sales of pseudoephedrine were banned in the first place — and what might happen as it makes its return.
What is pseudoephedrine?
Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that also relieves sinus pressure. It used to be a common ingredient in cold and flu medicines, but it was banned from being sold over the counter in New Zealand in 2011.
The John Key-led government of the time moved to reclassify pseudoephedrine as a controlled class B drug.
It meant people could only get pseudoephedrine-based products with a doctor’s prescription.
Why was it banned?
Pseudoephedrine can be extracted from medications and used to make methamphetamine, also known as P.
New Zealand had a growing problem with P, with pharmacies also suffering increasing robberies and raids for cold and flu medications. It was argued that restricting access to pseudoephedrine would help solve these problems.
New Zealanders were assured there would be alternatives to pseudoephedrine that would be just as effective for treating colds and allergies.
Those alternatives included products made with phenylephrine, although studies have since challenged its effectiveness as a decongestant.
Did banning sales of pseudoephedrine help NZ's P problem?
The advice echoes that of concerned pharmacists, but David Seymour says the benefits of the cold medicine outweigh the risks. (Source: 1News)
Ultimately? No.
While the raids on pharmacies fell away, P consumption and the health and social issues that came with it have remained widespread.
Criminal groups adapted their processes following the ban on sales of pseudoephedrine, according to a 2021 police report.
The groups began importing medication with pseudoephedrine from China until 2015, when China restricted sales of those products. Pseudoephedrine was then imported in its raw form.
The 2021 report also noted there had been a resurgence in the number of P manufacturing labs in New Zealand. It said while buying methamphetamine from overseas was much cheaper than making it locally, there was still demand for P made in New Zealand as it was considered purer and could be sold for more money.
The most recent wastewater testing showed the average P consumption was higher than the previous four quarters. The report put the estimated social harm cost of that P use at $15.3 million per week.
Why is pseudoephedrine coming back to our shelves now?
One of the ACT Party's election campaign promises was to restore over-the-counter sales of pseudoephedrine.
"Pseudoephedrine was banned because of fears it would be used for P production and following assurances there would be alternatives," ACT leader David Seymour said.
"Instead, the evidence shows that gangs continue to produce P, and there are no viable alternatives for people who are unwell."
That campaign promise formed part of ACT's coalition agreement with National following the election.
When is it going to be back on our shelves?
A bill amending the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 is being introduced in Parliament and changes to the Medicines Regulations 1984 are being made to reclassify pseudoephedrine.
It means the drug will become a restricted medicine, rather than a prescription one.
The Government said Medsafe is using an expedited process to approve these medicines, however people shouldn't expect to be able to buy products containing pseudoephedrine until next year.
It said this is due to supply chains and the ability for companies to prepare the products.
How do people feel about this?
One drug policy expert told the NZ Herald last year that the ban on over-the-counter sales was no longer making any difference to controlling the amount of meth in the community.
"We used to talk about busts of 10kg as being big, now it is hundreds and even a tonne of meth," Massey University associate professor Chris Wilkins said.
"Wastewater testing shows usage is not falling and surveys show the cost is lower than it has ever been, usually a good sign the market is awash in meth."
However, others are concerned putting pseudoephedrine back on shelves will mean pharmacies once again become targets for ram-raids.
Retired pharmacist Warren Flaunty told 1News his pharmacies were often targeted before the sales ban, and he expected the same would happen again once the ban was lifted.
"We're going to have burglaries after hours and I just hope no one gets injured or hurt or even killed," he said.
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David Seymour confirmed to 1News that he had received advice about pseudoephedrine's reappearance on pharmacy shelves and "all the possible things that could happen".
"There have been some risks raised that there has been crime related to it in the past, but the benefits are enormous," he said.
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