Reclassification Of Pseudoephedrine And Ephedrine: Pharmacy Bodies Agree New Measures, UK

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Also Included In: Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 17 Jul 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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National pharmacy bodies have signed up to a shared package of non-statutory preventative measures, which will minimise the risk of pharmacy medicines being used for methylamphetamine manufacture, while ensuring that these products are still available to patients who need them.

Responding to the MHRA's consultation letter MLX 337 the NPA, CCA, RPSGB and AIMp have been clear that pharmacists are already used to monitoring and limiting the sale of several other pharmacy medicines with abuse or misuse potential. The proposed new measures will further enhance the already stringent pharmacy controls in place.

The proposed measures are:

1. An agreement to limit supply of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine products to one whole pack per transaction.

2. Products containing pseudoephedrine or ephedrine are unavailable for self- selection.

3. Robust awareness programmes for all those involved in the sales of pharmacy medicines to ensure front-line staff understand the role of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine in any emerging UK meth problem. The pharmacy bodies have worked together and agreed a common approach to the content and expected learning outcomes of all educational awareness programme developed1.

4. A reduction in the pack size of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine containing products, so that only packs containing a maximum 720mg pseudopehedrine (12 x 60mg tablets) are available for pharmacy sale.

5. The monitoring by wholesalers and manufacturers of sales patterns and trends. The RPSGB can provide targeted inspection in areas where there may be peaks in supply.

6. Further discussion with law enforcers about how additional awareness and vigilance among pharmacy staff can be used positively to support the monitoring of the current low incidence of methylamphetamine misuse in the UK.

In a joint statement CCA, AIMp, RPSGB and NPA said:

"Pharmacy is united on this issue. We are working closely together to ensure that these new measures enhance existing pharmacy controls to protect the public from any emerging meth problem, whilst assuring continued access to these highly effective OTC products for the millions of people who need to manage common symptoms. We believe that our proposals offer the MHRA and Government a robust, viable solution that is proportionate to the current risk."

Details of the generic framework for the educational awareness programme are available below.

The Association of Independent Multiples (AIMp) has over 1200 pharmacies in membership and represents the interests of the independent multiple sector. Its members have between 5 to 300 shops, and include: Day Lewis, Co-op Healthcare, HI Weldricks and PCT Healthcare.

The Company Chemists Association (CCA) provides a forum for the major businesses engaged in community pharmacy to work together to help create an environment where community pharmacy can flourish, and where pharmacy contractors compete in a fair and equitable way. The CCA's nine member companies are: Alliance Boots, Co- operative Group Pharmacy, LloydsPharmacy, Tesco, J Sainsbury, Wm Morrison Supermarkets, Asda Wal-Mart, Rowlands Pharmacy and Superdrug. Between them they own over 5,000 pharmacies, representing around 45% of the pharmacies in the United Kingdom.

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) was established in 1921 as the trade association of community pharmacy owners. To reflect the changes in the pharmacy environment the NPA now extends membership and its associated benefits to all members of the community pharmacy infrastructure.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) is the regulatory and professional body for pharmacists in England, Scotland and Wales. The primary objective of the RPSGB is to lead, regulate and develop the pharmacy profession.

http://www.rpsgb.org.uk