Police are calling on all provinces to put pharmacists in charge of distributing a medication that relieves stuffed up noses, in an attempt to attack the problem of home-made production of a common street drug.

Pseudoephedrine, the main ingredient in some cold medications, has been linked with the production of home-made methamphetamine, the addictive drug known as crystal meth.




"There's concern about people buying large quantities of pseudoephedrine for use in making crystal meth," said Chris Perentes, a pharmacist in Regina. "If it's changed chemically, it can be much more potent and deadly."

The chemical is readily available at pharmacies, resulting in home-made versions of crystal meth, said RCMP Const. Richard DeJong of Vancouver.

And these "mini-labs, or Ma and Pa labs, as we call them, (are) popping up all over the place," DeJong added.

To stem production of crystal meth, Saskatchewan and Manitoba have legislated pharmacies to move pseudoephedrine products to non-public areas. DeJong said other provinces should consider following suit.

Pharmacists have been trained to look out for people buying large quantities of pseudoephedrine.

The preventive change is enough for the Nonprescription Drug Manufacturers Association of Canada.

"It's a concern that reducing access to these medicines can do a number of things to the health-care system," said Gerry Harrington, a spokesperson for the association. "We already have a shortage of pharmacists, and if were to put all these products behind the counter, that would put an additional burden on pharmacists that's probably not warranted."

As a pharmacist, Perentes said the change offers a chance to interact with people to ensure they are buying the proper medication and taking it appropriately.