Pseudoephidrine Returns to NZ Pharmacies by Next Year

As aprt of its coalition deal, the ACT Party has won a reversal from National of its previous decision to ban the cold and flu mediction.

ACT leader David Seymour speaks to media on his way to the house following the State Opening of Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand, on Dec. 6, 2023. Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

New Zealanders suffering from the symptoms of cold and flu will be able to breathe a little easier next year.

As part of its coalition agreement with the National and New Zealand First parties, the ACT Party has enough support for a bill to return medications containing pseudoephedrine to pharmacies.

A previous National government restricted it to prescription-only in 2011, fearing it was being used to make methamphetamine (known as “P” in New Zealand). ACT leader David Seymour pledged to restore over-the-counter sales of the drug during the election campaign.

“Older New Zealanders have noticed that being able to find an over-the-counter cold and flu medication that actually helps is getting harder,” Mr. Seymour said in September.

“Pseudoephedrine was banned because of fears it would be used for P production and following assurances there would be alternatives. Instead, the evidence shows that gangs continue to produce P, and there are no viable alternatives for people who are unwell.”

Now Associate Health Minister, he said today that ACT expects to introduce legislation for it on Feb. 27 next week. The bill will still impose some restrictions: pseudoephedrine will only be available for purchase directly from a pharmacist, and restrictions on importing and exporting of the drug would remain.

“The reality is that the gangs have far more effective ways of obtaining pseudoephedrine to manufacture methamphetamine and we should tackle these head-on instead, he said.

“Alternative cold and flu medicines have been shown to be no more effective than a placebo. New Zealanders are being denied decent cold and flu medication, but the gangs are selling more methamphetamine than ever.

“The current law isn’t working and that’s why the government is acting.”

Approval Still Needed

Pharmaceutical companies will need to apply for product approval in New Zealand, but Medsafe was using an expedited process to handle applications as quickly as possible.

“Taking into account supply chains and the ability for companies to prepare products, it is expected the medication will be back on shelves in 2025,” Mr. Seymour said.

However some pharmacists have told media that they fear the policy could put workers in danger.

Retired pharmacist Warren Flaunty told 1News that his pharmacy was “constantly burgled” for pseudoephedrine when it was on the shelves.

“I would say at least a dozen times a year,” he said.

Pharmacist Vicky Chan was also concerned. “If it does come back in the pharmacy space, in whatever capacity or form, I’m just seeing the chances of more home grown labs, but also security, of our staff.”

Based on the 2019/20 New Zealand Health Survey, 1.1 percent of the total population—or an estimated 45,000 adults—had used amphetamine for recreational or non–medical purposes in the last 12 months.