OTC flu drug restricted from April

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has announced tighter controls on over-the-counter (OTC) nasal decongestants.

It has announced that changes to the law regarding pseudoephedrine and ephedrine contained in cold and flu remedies will come into play from April 1st 2008.

The legal changes are the result of reports of misuse of such medicines and claims they are being used to manufacture crystal meth – a Class A drug.

Director of vigilance and risk management of medicines at the MHRA Dr June Raine said the legal changes were being swiftly made in order to protect the public.

“All stakeholders are working together to ensure the controls are effective and an expert group is carrying out a programme of work to monitor the situation,” she explained.

The changes will ensure large packs of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine are replaced by smaller and limited to one per customer.

Last year, the Guardian newspaper estimated nearly 90 OTC flu remedies could be restricted by the changes.