CLOSE METH LOOPHOLE!

New Laws Needed, Say Pharmacists

Asking retailers to voluntarily restrict the sale of selected drugs likely
won't curb an explosion in crystal meth production, says the head of the
Alberta College of Pharmacists.

Alberta solicitor general Heather Forsyth said recently she's hoping
pharmacists will prevent customers from bulk-buying drugs like Sudafed,
which can be used to cook meth.

But Alberta College of Pharmacists registrar Greg Eberhart said new
legislation is needed to close loopholes in the law.

"I don't think we want to focus specifically on Sudafed. I think we want to
look at both ephedrine and pseudoephedrine and we want to look at all of
the locations where they might be accessible," said Eberhart.

"It's not something we would have absolute power over, but certainly I
think we have a role to play in making a recommendation to the minister as
to what a satisfactory solution might be.

"We would probably need to implement laws."

Forsyth floated the idea of asking pharmaceutical retailers to monitor and
restrict drug sales after returning from a three-day methamphetamine
information tour in the U.S.

Eberhart said Health Canada's Precursor Control Regulations, which restrict
the production and trade of the chemicals needed to make the drug, haven't
solved the problem.

"Those precursor regulations do not address the immediate challenge," he said.

Ken Wong, manager of Castledowns ARP Pharmacy, said every retailer has an
"ethical duty" to question customers who buy drugs like Sudafed in bulk.

"But even if I do my part, they can still go across the street and buy it
from somewhere else."

Highland Drugs manager Nelson Choi said it's time for the Alberta College
of Pharmacists to intervene.

"They could put these drugs behind the counter," said Choi.

"It would be for the good of the public, so I think it's a good idea."