General Facts

Pseudoephedrine Diversion

What is Pseudoephedrine?

Pseudoephedrine (PSE) is a safe and effective oral nasal decongestant used in the relief of symptoms of colds and flu and allergies. PSE has been on the market for 30 years and is the most effective oral medicine for the relief of nasal congestion. It is also the most common ingredient of cold and flu tablets.

What is PSE Diversion?

PSE is a precursor chemical for manufacturing methamphetamine, which is a core ingredient for making illicit drugs such as "speed" and other party drugs. Diversion refers to the extraction of PSE from the tablet and converting it into "speed". The acquisition and diversion of PSE -containing medicines for the illicit production of methylamphetamine is a growing problem within our community.

What PSE-products are being targeted?

Many of the different types of pseudoephedrine containing tablets are being targeted, however, those products containing PSE as the single ingredient, and those containing PSE plus an antihistamine, are the most popular products being sought for diversion.

How can we keep it out of the hands of criminals?

PSE-containing products can only be sold through pharmacy. It is the pharmacists’ responsibility to ensure the supply of medicine is to appropriate customers only.

Criminals will always look for ways to make money, especially from drugs and learn quickly to present themselves as legitimate customers. They also use techniques such as employing ‘runners’ who buy one pack and move from pharmacy to pharmacy, breaking and entry, holding up pharmacy staff and ‘ram raids’ involving crashing a car through a window to collect shelf stock.

What is Pfizer Australia doing about the issue?

Pfizer Australia is taking the industry lead in this issue but this needs to be a continuing, whole-of-industry fight involving all manufacturers of PSE-derived products, law enforcement authorities, pharmacists, regulators and governments.

We convened a National Summit on Pseudoephedrine Diversion for pharmacists, regulators and police and we’re working on new and improved "lock technology" to make the active ingredients harder to extract.

In 1999, in advance of scheduling changes, we voluntarily reduced our pack sizes, ceasing production of 90 and 60 tablet packs. This makes it harder for speed manufacturers to buy in large amounts.

Pfizer alerted and involved the Australian Self Medication Industry (ASMI), the non-prescription medicine industry regulator, to develop a code of conduct pertaining to the sale and distribution of PSE-products through pharmacy. All PSEsuppliers are signatures to this code. Other measures we’re taking include continuous sales monitoring and analysis; imposition of a ceiling on orders; and investigating and reporting to appropriate authorities any unusual trends.

Should all PSE products be put on prescription?

PSE-products are purchased by more than 1 million health consumers each year and have proved to be safe and effective when used correctly. Currently, there is no real tablet or capsule alternatives to pseudoephedrine for relieving nasal congestion associated with colds and flu or allergies. Restricting access through scheduling changes will place an enormous burden on the health system and disadvantage the consumer. Increases in doctor visits and prescription fees will cost the consumer more and create bottlenecks in doctors’ rooms during peak cold and flu periods.

Pfizer Australia does not consider that further changes to the re-scheduling of pseudoephedrine products will not reduce the diversion problem. Furthermore, the number of legitimate users of pseudoephedrine products, far outweighs the criminals and any changes will unfairly disadvantage the health consumer. Maintaining vigilance in pharmacy, educating the consumer and applying high standards of practice should be effective in controlling illicit access through pharmacy.

Pharmacists have been advised to adhere to the following guidelines when selling PSE-products identified as high risk of diversion.

• Store single ingredient products and potential high risk diversion products away from direct consumer access.
• Establish a therapeutic need and seek identification and record name and address of patient as appropriate.
• Refuse multiple pack sales.
• Safety of staff and consumers is paramount. Avoid confrontation and report suspicious purchasers to police.
• Record and report vehicle registration numbers where abuse is strongly suspected. Phone 1800 648 161 for the NSW Police Chemical Diversion Desk or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000