PHARMACISTS WILL MONITOR COLD REMEDIES

Effective immediately, one of the main ingredients used in the
production of crystal methamphetamine will be moved under the watchful
eye of local pharmacists.

Following an amendment to provincial regulations, Alberta will follow
the lead of other prairie provinces by limiting access to cold
remedies that can be used to make crystal meth.

Single-entity pseudoephedrine, found in cough and cold remedies, will
be reclassified as a Schedule 2 drug, requiring it and medications
containing it to be placed behind the pharmacist's counter.

Health Minister Iris Evans says she hopes the move will reduce the
production and sale of the dangerous and highly addictive drug.

"With all of the western provinces now on board, we are now able to
make a unified push to control the production of crystal meth," Evans
said in a recent news release.

"By restricting the sale of the main precursors of the drug we hope to
reduce the production and sale of this dangerous drug."

Two of the primary ingredients in crystal meth are ephedrine and
pseudoephedrine, medications used to treat sinus congestion. Many
ephedrine products are already classified as a Schedule 1 drug,
requiring a prescription for access.

"I think we've made the right move to continue our fight against
crystal meth without unnecessarily limiting access to medications that
Albertans may legitimately need," said Evans.

Alberta's move follows announcements by Manitoba, Saskatchewan and
British Columbia. Ontario is considering similar restrictions.

Carol Secondiak, chair of the Palliser Health Region and a member of
the provincial crystal meth drug task force, agreed with these new
restrictions.

"Is it the answer to the whole problem of crystal meth production? No,
but it's one small part that might discourage some, even one person,
from making a batch of this stuff in the kitchen or the garage, or
whatever the case may be," said Secondiak.

She said the change may not necessarily affect the big dealers, but
should prove to be a step in the right direction.

"If you do have a cold, you can still get it, you just have to ask for
it."

Shane Rathwell, a pharmacist at the Crescent Height Boylan Drugs, said
medications kept behind the counters are easier to regulate.

"When it's sold through the pharmacy, from behind the counter, we
create a (computer) profile with the patient's name, even if it's not
a prescription," said Rathwell. "Then we know who's buying it and of
course, with pseudoephedrine if they're going to buy that, if they're
asking for large quantities, that's going to give you a clue that
they're not using it for what they should be."

Miles Maughan, a pharmacist at MacKenzie Drugs, said having these
medications behind the counter makes it easier to counsel on the
advantages and disadvantages. It also helps in monitoring who is
purchasing the product.

"If we see the person an awful lot of times, we'll ask them to sign
for it," said Maughan.

He suspected the move of the medications behind the counter will
happen immediately.

"Most of that's been behind (the counter) for a long
time."