Query inappropriate requests for ephedrine
Sipa Press/Rex Features
Metamfetamine use could become common in the UK |
Pharmacists should question customers who request inappropriate quantities of over-the-counter products containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society said this week.
The advice follows a warning by the US Drug Enforcement Agency that bulk
sales of certain cold remedies should be monitored because of the risk
that they may be used to manufacture metamfetamine. Use of this drug
(whose street names include crystal meth, crystal, burn, pure, p, crank
and meth) is already widespread in the US and the United Nations has
advised that it could become common in the UK.
The Society says that metamfetamine can be synthesised relatively easily
by reducing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine and is a powerful central nervous
system stimulant. Its stimulant effects can last for up to 12 hours after
inhalation or oral administration. It can also be administered by smoking
or injection.
The Society warns that one of the risks from metamfetamine use is from
the increased chance of HIV infection through unprotected sex while under
the influence of the product. |
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