RESTRICTING ACCESS TO CRYSTAL METHAMPHETAMINE INGREDIENTS

Released on November 1, 2005

Healthy Living Services Minister Graham Addley joined with Manitoba's Healthy Living Minister today in announcing plans to restrict the sale of certain cold remedies containing ingredients most easily used and preferred to produce crystal methamphetamine.

In co-operation with the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacists, changes will be introduced to move cough and cold products containing only pseudoephedrine behind pharmacy counters. While pharmacists will move the products behind the counter effective today, a transition phase of approximately one month will be provided to allow managed change with other retailers and their suppliers.

Saskatchewan Health will amend The Drug Schedules Regulations, 1997, reclassifying the cough and cold products containing only pseudoephedrine to the "Schedule II" list, meaning they can only be sold in pharmacies and must be kept behind the counter. Currently, these products are sold at a variety of locations such as gas stations and convenience stores. As well, the volume of pseudoephedrine that may be sold in any transaction will be limited at 3,600 milligrams.

"Project Hope committed to build on MethWatch, a voluntary program that monitors the sale of various crystal meth precursors," Addley said. "Today we are taking the first step to regulate access to crystal meth precursors in selected cold remedies and I appreciate the co-operation and support of the College of Pharmacists. We will remain proactive, monitoring the situation and making further refinements in the future, if evidence supports the need."

However, these cold preparations represent only one component of the problem. Eighty to 90 per cent of crystal meth in North America is manufactured in super-labs using commercial bulk quantity ephedrine, the sales of which are regulated by the federal government.

"Last week, health ministers acknowledged that a collaborative approach involving federal, provincial, and territorial governments and key health, education and justice stakeholders is necessary in order to effectively address methamphetamine use," Addley said. "The federal government has the regulatory responsibility for most of the products currently used to make crystal meth. I am encouraged by Ottawa's agreement to explore how to control these chemicals, but we will continue to lobby the federal government on this issue."

"While the cough and cold products containing only pseudoephedrine represent a small risk of remanufacture, pharmacists across Saskatchewan are willing to do our part to control the manufacture and use of crystal methamphetamine," Saskatchewan College of Pharmacists Registrar Ray Joubert said. "This new requirement balances access for legitimate purposes while restricting access for potentially illegitimate purposes. It also allows other non-pharmacy retailers to continue to sell most cold medications. We encourage members of the public to consult with their pharmacists for selection of the most appropriate products."

A list of products captured by today's announcement is attached.

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For More Information, Contact:

Jocelyn Argue Health Regina Phone: (306) 787-4083