NEW RULES MAY AID CRYSTAL METH MAKERS: REGULATORS

Ephedrine-Based Remedies Can Be Sold With No Controls

Just when pharmacy regulators had devised ways to control the sale of
medicines used to cook up a potent street drug, new natural-health
product rules could make those ingredients more readily available to
criminals, the regulators are warning.

A spokesman for Tony Clement, the federal Health Minister, said
yesterday the government shares those concerns.

Health Canada is licensing ephedrine-based remedies as natural-health
products, meaning they can be sold in most provinces with virtually
no controls, and amid an aura of wholesomeness, the pharmacy
overseers say. But ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are key ingredients
in crystal meth, a powerful stimulant that is taking over as one of
Canada's most popular -- and dangerous -- street drugs.

Although much crystal meth is imported or made here with ingredients
acquired in bulk, some home manufacturers purchase retail products to
transform into the illicit substance.

Conventional over-the-counter drugs are subject to new guidelines
that suggest pharmacists keep cold and cough remedies consisting
mainly of ephedrine behind the counter.

The sale of similar natural health products in health food stores,
gyms and elsewhere is virtually unregulated, however.

The National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Agencies (NAPRA)
raised concerns about that process at a meeting in November with Health Canada.

"What about all the work we've done with our provincial governments
to try and keep a handle on these products? Does that mean that
suddenly it's a free for all?" asked Don Rowe, head of the
Newfoundland and Labrador pharmacy board.

"Did anybody think of that in advance before they gave out natural
product [licences] for ephedrine and pseudoephedrine?"

Erik Waddell, a spokesman for Mr. Clement, said the government is
actively investigating uses of precursor drugs, and looking at the
implications of licensing some of them as natural health products.

"We have identified it. It is a problem," Mr. Waddell said. "It is a concern."

The federal government may eventually recommend that sale of the
natural health ephedrine products be restricted. But first it is
carrying out an extensive "ephedrine mapping" project to track how
and by whom the precursor drugs are being used, Mr. Waddell said.

Crystal meth, known scientifically as methamphetamine, has emerged as
a "major drug threat" in Canada in recent years, the RCMP said in its
2005 drug report, noting that 29 meth labs had been raided.

The powerful stimulant generates an intense rush, but can make users
anxious, paranoid and aggressive and cause strokes or heart failure.
It is often highly addictive, and withdrawal symptoms are reportedly
worse than for heroin or cocaine.

The drug can be made relatively easily in amateur labs, mixing
ephedrine with a dozen or so other substances, such as red
phospherous and iodine. One recipe on the Internet calls for two
packets of Contac 12-hour tablets to produce three grams of crystal meth.

NAPRA issued guidelines last year that suggest single-ingredient
ephedrine or pseudoephedrine products, mainly decongestants, be kept
behind pharmacy counters and dispensed directly by a pharmacist.
Several provinces have adopted the rules.

But the pharmacy regulators say that for various reasons they cannot
oversee sale of natural health substances, a new class of drug
introduced in 2004.

Health Canada has already licensed at least nine ephedrine or
pseudoephedrine remedies as natural-health products, in doses ranging
from 8 mg to 60 mg.

Although home meth labs using retail products are not a huge problem
yet in Canada, they have been in the United States and regulators
here wanted to stay "ahead of the curve," said Ken Potvin, NAPRA's
executive director.

The natural-health system "certainly introduced a new environment and
we need to keep our heads up," he said.

"Definitely it is a concern," said Greg Eberhart of the Alberta
College of Pharmacists.

In B.C., though, police indicate that most of the meth labs use
wholesale supplies of precursor drugs, not retail tablets, so it is
not a big issue yet, said Marshall Moleschi, registrar of the B.C.
College of Pharmacists.