PROVINCE TO CRACK DOWN ON MEDICATION

The province's battle against crystal meth could mean cold sufferers
won't be able to turn to convenience stores for certain medications.

And the drugs will soon have to be stashed behind the counter at pharmacies.

"You are going to have to go through the pharmacist to get it,"
explained Manitoba Pharmaceutical Association president Gary Cavanagh.

The provincial government passed a regulation yesterday that makes
pseudoephedrine-only medications, drugs under the Pharmaceutical Act.

Pseudoephedrine is an ingredient in the highly addictive and deadly
illegal drug, crystal meth.

Pharmacy owners will have to place 17 products -- including Sudafed
and Eltor -- behind their counters by Jan. 15.

Cavanagh expects grocery stores without their own pharmacy and
convenience stores will have to remove such products altogether.

Letters will be sent to non-pharmacy retailers informing them of the
new regulations, according to the province.