CHEMIST SOLD 12,000 PACKS OF SUDAFED AT SHOW

There must have been a lot of people with the flu at the Royal Easter Show
in 1999.

Because in just 16 days, pharmacist Pasko Skelin sold 12,000 packets of
Sudafed - the drug that contains pseudoephedrine, the key ingredient in the
manufacture of amphetamines. That's enough to produce $72 million worth of
methylamphetamine, or speed.

Yesterday, Mr Skelin, who ran the Showground Pharmacy at the 1999 show,
faced the Pharmacy Board to answer a complaint of professional misconduct,
involving the illegal and illicit sale of the over-the-counter flu drug.

Mr Skelin, who owns Pikes Day and Night Pharmacy at Burwood, denies the
allegation.

Counsel for the registrar of the board, Ms Gail Furness, told the hearing
it was well known that the sale of multiple packs of Sudafed probably ended
up in the production of speed.

Mr Skelin's counsel, Mr Peter Dwyer, said the complaint did not allege the
chemist was involved in manufacturing amphetamines.

Earlier this year, police said syndicates, including bikie gangs, had been
buying large quantities of tablets from unscrupulous chemists.

Giving evidence yesterday, Hurstville pharmacist Ted Sissian, who has 800
customers a day, said he sold about 1,000 packets of Sudafed in 1999. He
was surprised that Mr Skelin sold such a large amount in 16 days, adding
that people who have colds normally don't go to the Show.

The Pharmacy Board sent a letter to all chemists last year reminding them
of their responsibilities in selling drugs such as Sudafed.

It advised that packs of 60 and 90 tablets were to be stored in the
dispensary and to be handed out by the pharmacist personally. Any attempt
to buy more than one pack of 30 tablets was to be referred to the chemist.

A chemist found guilty of professional misconduct faces being struck off
the register or a maximum fine of $4,400. The case resumes today.