COLD, FLU MEDICINES TO REMAIN

Wellington: Common cold or flu medicines will remain on pharmacy shelves
after the Government yesterday decided to take Ministry of Health advice
and not ban the drugs.

Pseudoephedrine, a major ingredient in many medicines, not only soothes
coughs and colds but is used in the manufacture of the illegal drug
methamphetamine.

Some pharmacies have adopted a voluntary ban on pseudoephedrine-based
medicines. Last year, Associate Health Minister Jim Anderton told the
health select committee he would consider a national ban.

However, Mr Anderton yesterday said the Health Ministry had advised against
such a ban and he was prepared to follow its advice.

"Health officials have advised ministers that an outright ban now on cold
and cough potions containing the ingredient pseudoephedrine risked doing
more harm in the long term than any good it might do in the immediate
future," he said.

NZPA