January 13, 2006

Healthy Living Minister Theresa Oswald today reminded Manitobans 17 single-source pseudoephedrine products will be sold exclusively behind the pharmacy counters at Manitoba drug stores starting Jan. 15 as part of Manitoba’s strategy to restrict the supply of crystal meth.

"I want to thank pharmacists and non-pharmacy retailers for being responsible in helping the Manitoba government restrict the sale of these products so they are used for their legitimate purpose and aren’t used for the production of crystal meth," Oswald said.

The minister said the Manitoba Pharmaceutical Association regulation restricting the sale of the products will be in effect Jan. 15.

This was the final step of a phased-in process resulting in the permanent movement of these products:

• Single-source pseudoephedrine was classified as a drug under the Pharmaceutical Act by a regulation passed by the government Nov. 30.

• Letters were sent to non-pharmacy retailers informing them of the regulatory change and informing them that they must complete the process of pulling these products off the shelves by Jan. 15.

• The Manitoba Pharmaceutical Association voted in favour of its own regulatory change Jan. 5 to keep single-source products behind the counter of pharmacies and informing pharmacists of the change.

The restriction in the sale of single-source pseudoephedrine products is one of a series of actions taken since Manitoba’s crystal meth strategy was announced in October. They include:

• a public education campaign alerting Manitobans to the devastating impact of crystal meth,

• an investment of $6.7 million over the next three years in new mental health and addictions services providing additional capacity and front-line supports to help deal with mental health and addictions in Manitoba including the use of meth,

• the development of a brochure and changes to the Prescribed Spraying Equipment and Controlled Products Regulation alerting Manitoba farmers to the theft and use of anhydrous ammonia in the production of meth, and

• the establishment of a drug court that requires non-violent offenders addicted to meth and other drugs to receive intensive treatment to break the cycle of addiction.

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Pseudoephedrine                                                      Pumpuii Canada Inc.

PMS-pseudoephedrine HCL SYR 6mg/ml                Pharmascience

PMS-pseudoephedrine HCL tab 60mg                     Pharmascience

Drixoral ND long-acting tab                                      Schering Canada Inc.

Benylin D for Infants                                                  Pfizer Canada Inc.

Sudafed Decongestant Children's Chewable Tablet    Pfizer Canada Inc.

Sudafed Decongestant Extra Strength Tablet              Pfizer Canada Inc.

Nondrowsy Regular Strength Contac Cold 12 hour    GSK

Sudafed Decongestant 12-hour caplet                        Pfizer Canada Inc

Decon N S                                                                Jaapharm Canada Inc.

Pseudofrin Tab 60mg                                                 Labratories Trianon Inc.

Eltor 120 - sustained release caplet                            Aventis Pharma Inc.

Nasal + Sinus Decongestant Relief - Tab 60mg          Vita Health Products Inc.

Congest Aid Tab 30 mg                                             Zee Medical Inc.

Triaminic Pediatric Oral Cold Drops - 7.5mg/0.8ml    Novartis

Tantafed Tab 60mg                                                    Tanta Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Pseudofrin Sirop 6mg/ml                                             Labratories Trianon Inc.