A slew of cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine are back on the shelves after the Government lifted a decade-long ban on the ingredient.
The medicines are prescription-free, however, will need to be bought after consultation with a pharmacist as they are still classed as a restricted medicine.
Several products produced under medication brands, including Nurofen, Codral, Sudafed, Demazin, and Chemists’ Own, have been approved by Medsafe.
A quick search revealed multiple pseudoephedrine products are now on sale at pharmacies.
Associate Health Minister David Seymour said “effective cold and flu medicines” are back.
“Pharmacies are now putting the medicines back on their shelves, in coming days more and more Kiwis will be able to head down to their local pharmacy and get their hands on some effective cold and flu medicine.
“This accessibility will be a real relief to New Zealanders suffering from colds and flu this winter. They will be able to access the same effective cold and flu medicines that are available in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.
“Safeguards will remain in place to prevent misuse. It will retain its status as a controlled drug and a precursor substance.
“While restrictions on importing and exporting these medicines are still in place, and New Zealand Police and New Zealand Customs are able to seize illicit products.”
Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that also relieves sinus pressure.
It used to be a common ingredient in cold and flu medicines, but it was banned from being sold over the counter in 2011, over concerns it was fuelling meth production.
Alternatives included products made with phenylephrine, however, further research has since challenged its effectiveness as a decongestant.
The advice echoes that of concerned pharmacists, but David Seymour says the benefits of the cold medicine outweigh the risks.
Some pharmacies have raised concerns over the return of the ingredient, warning it could again trigger methamphetamine-related crime.