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Letters to the Editor
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Pseudoephedrine
Reclassification is a step in the wrong direction
From Mr D. P. D. Nickels, MRPharmS
I take exception to Bob
Dunkley’s letter regarding the reclassification
of pseudoephedrine from P to POM status (PJ, 31 March, p365).
Pseudoephedrine has been around for many years and has been used safely
by most people as an excellent decongestant. Pharmacists have had their
role to play in this, advising on interactions and contraindications, and
controlling sales to prevent abuse.
After all these years of availability the Medicines and Healthcare products
Regulatory Agency suddenly feels the need to reclassify this product to
POM status because a few people may attempt to convert the product into
methylamphetamine. So people may be denied a perfectly good decongestant
because a small minority may choose to convert it into a banned substance.
Unfortunately drug abuse is part of life for some and my concern would
be that, even if pseudoephedrine is reclassified, drug abusers will still
find a way of obtaining methylamphetamine. After all, diamorphine is a
Controlled Drug, yet the streets are awash with it. The same can be said
for diazepam. If there is a demand for a product then someone, somewhere
will fill that demand, legal or not.
In my opinion the MHRA’s course of action should be one of awareness.
Pharmacists have shown on numerous occasions that they are more than capable
of monitoring sales and maybe it is the time for us, as a profession, to
review our sales protocol for this product. I am in no doubt that pharmacy
has the ability to regulate sales of these products without the need for
reclassification.
As pharmacy is trying to forge its position within the primary health care
team, reclassifying pseudoephedrine is a step in the wrong direction and
sends out the wrong message.
David Nickels
Newquay, Cornwall |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal