Society Opposes Reclassification Of Ephedrine And Pseudoephedrine (uk)

[Lunar Loops]

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain has today circulated a briefing to all parliamentarians outlining why it strongly opposes the Government’s proposal to reclassify all ephedrine and pseudoephedrine-containing medicines from Pharmacy (P) to Prescription Only Medicine (POM) status:

For immediate release
18 June 2007

SOCIETY OPPOSES RECLASSIFICATION OF EPHEDRINE AND PSEUDOEPHEDRINE

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain has today circulated a briefing to all parliamentarians outlining why it strongly opposes the Government’s proposal to reclassify all ephedrine and pseudoephedrine-containing medicines from Pharmacy (P) to Prescription Only Medicine (POM) status.
The briefing highlights that pharmacists are well placed to continue managing the sale of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine containing medicines. The Society is seeking the support of Members of Parliament (MPs) in making this case to the Government and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
David Pruce, Director of Practice and Quality Improvement at the Society, said:
"Intelligence in the UK concerning the misuse of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine-containing medicines is still limited, and reclassification appears to be a disproportionate response to the problem and out of step with other countries. In particular, it would have an impact on drug accessibility and NHS costs, and drive up GPs' workload. The Society is calling on parliamentarians to raise this issue in parliament calling for a proportionate response in support of the Society's stance."

The briefing can be found on the Society’s website www.rpsgb.org via the World of Pharmacy page under ‘current developments in pharmacy’.
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is currently undertaking a consultation on proposals to restrict the availability of medicines containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. These are used as decongestants in many common over-the-counter medicines. The proposal is to change the legal status of these drugs from Pharmacy (P) availability to prescription only medicine (POM). This follows concerns raised by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) that ephedrine and pseudoephedrine can be extracted from over-the-counter remedies and used in the manufacture of methylamphetamine, currently classified as a Class A controlled drug. The consultation can be found on the MHRA’s website www.mhra.gov.uk via the Publications page under ‘consultations’ (consultation no. MLX 337).

The Society’s recommendations are as follows:
• The Society believes that the potential for widespread misuse could be controlled by retaining ‘P’ status and tightening control through the pharmacy by limitation of pack sizes to 720mg (equivalent of 12 x 60mg tablets) and restriction to one pack per purchase. The Society has suggested that the products should be added to an MHRA ‘watch list’ of substances liable to misuse.

• The Society would also consider providing support for development of practice guidance to help prevent the diversion of pseudoephedrine / ephedrine containing products. Support could also possibly be provided for development of training material aimed at pharmacy staff as well as input into public education campaigns.

• In terms of monitoring supplies to pharmacies, wholesalers track who they have supplied pseudoephedrine / ephedrine to. The Society can provide targeted inspection in areas where there may be peaks in supply.

• The Society recommends that pseudoephedrine / ephedrine containing products should not be available for self-selection.

[Felonious Skunk]

Interesting that your medical societies are not pawns of the government like they are here in the US.

While ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are not yet prescription only, they are controlled de facto by placement behind the counters at the pharmacy--right next to the baking soda.

*DRUG CRAZY* *DRUG CRAZY* *DRUG CRAZY* *DRUG CRAZY*