WAIROA CHEMISTS MAY STOP STOCKING 'P' PRODUCTS

Wairoa's two pharmacies may stop stocking flu medicine containing
pseudoephedrine, the product used to manufacture 'P', after an overnight
burglary.

A group broke into Ray Lyall Chemists at 12.43am yesterday. They stole
eight packets of Coldral, Coldrex, Robitussin and Dimetapp.

Police believe the offenders were from out of town.

Mr Lyall has run the chemist for 28 years. He said the shop had been broken
into several times, but it was the first time thieves had targeted drugs.

"It's a real shame. 'P' certainly is a problem," Mr Lyall said.

He may now stop stocking pseudoephedrine products.

"That would be a shame because the products are good for treating colds and
sinus problems. I believe drug companies are trying to find things that do
the same things without pseudoephedrine," Mr Lyall said.

The manager of the town's other chemist, John Norvill of Wairoa Pharmacy,
said he may also stop stocking the products, and order them as required
instead.

Mr Norvill said his pharmacy had been broken into in October, but did not
believe drugs had been the target.

Gisborne's 11 pharmacies stopped stocking the products six months ago, with
break-ins dropping dramatically since then.

Hastings police believe there are up to 20 people trying to buy pills
around the district to turn them into P, with packets that retailed for
about $15 being sold on for $80.