GOVT TIPPED TO CLOSE DRUG LOOPHOLE

New Plymouth: The legal loophole which allows criminals to import
ingredients to manufacture methamphetamine will be closed by early next year.

Methamphetamine and its pure form, P, can be manufactured from
pseudoephedrine, the active ingredient in many cold and flu medicines.

The Ministry of Health completed its consultation on a law change with drug
companies and pharmacies at the end of last month.

Taranaki's Daily News understands Associate Health Minister Jim Anderton is
expected to announce within the next few days proposed changes to the
Misuse of Drugs Act, under which pseudoephedrine and ephedrine will come
under tighter control.

Importers are likely to have to be licensed by the Ministry of Health.

Pharmaceutical Society spokesman Euan Galloway yesterday backed such a move
and said pharmacies and consumers would not be affected.

"The legislation is only to control the importation of the raw material. It
won't affect anything else.

"It will affect the public if they wish to import the stuff over the
Internet from overseas. They won't be able to import it without a licence.

"Or, if they are caught, they will be punished under the Misuse of Drugs
Act and similarly with other means of importation."