Allergy and cold medicines will no longer be available to Canadians from supermarkets and corner stores as a result of new rules which are aimed at preventing addicts from making crystal meth.
Allergy and cold medicines will no longer be available to Canadians from supermarkets and corner stores as a result of new rules which are aimed at preventing addicts from making crystal meth. The supermarkets and drug stores which have pharmacies will however not be affected by the ban which will come into force from 10 April 2006. Only pharmacists will be able to sell about 15 medicines which are of the single ingredient category. This is inclusive of Sudafed Decongestant 12-hour caplets, Triaminic Allergy Decongestant and Contac Cold.
Crystal meth is an additive substance which is rapidly gaining in popularity, and contains pseudoephedrine and ephedrine. Retailers and the producers of cold medicines have however faulted the ban, as biker gangs are reported to be controlling the commercial labs which produce crystal meth, and the regulation as such is not expected to have much effect, according to them. The police force of the country is reported to be in favor of this ban. The addition to this drug is reportedly spreading from the west of the country.This has already become a massive problem in the US. Canada’s National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities seeks to regulate the availability of products which go to make the drug. The public is expected to take the inconvenience in their stride. The Non-Prescription Drug Manufacturers Association of Canada has however opposed this move of the Government. The products which will be affected are inclusive of Claritin Sinus, Triaminic, Tylenol Cold, and Benylin. The new rules are likely to affect rural areas where there are lesser number of pharmacies.
