Methamphetamine

[237SJ]

I was watching a programme in the US about the huge (and growing) problem of recreational methamphetamine use. Last time I tried to buy Sudafed in the States, the pharmacist asked for my passport. The programme got me thinking - could there come a time when Sudafed is banned from sale altogether?

[rockyracoon]

Bloody hope not, it sorts out my sinus problems at this time of year.

[wildwood]

Yep, another example of where the masses have to pay for the habit of a few. It won't be long before you'll have to sign a book to buy petrol because a few will insist on sniffing the stuff.

[theprof]

I think this will depend on which country you live in. Pseudoephedrine is a precursor of methamphetamine and some countries restrict pharmacy sales more vigorously than others.

The US has a major problem with methamphetamine and the FDA has restricted bulk purchase of pseudoephedrine to bona fide users via licence schemes. The scheme has had a dramatic effect on illicit manufacture.

Other counties have a more lenient view regarding pseudoephedrine purchases with certain countries I won't mention having virtually no restrictions at all - and yes, these countries continue to be responsible for the vast majority of methamphetamine manufacture in the world.

Sudafed wouldn't be banned from sale but it might well be reformulated to include alternative adrenergic agonists

[ChuckFickens]

There already is a version without it. Two different versions are available in the UK.

[theprof]

You've got a point wildwood. I saw this the other week myself when I went to my local DIY shed and try to purchase a can of Evo-Stik or Thixofix. I was given the third-degree.

I handle stuff thousands of time more toxic daily in my job but I do appreciate the need for it.

[theprof]

Yes Chuck, you're right. In the UK some Sudafed formulations contain Phenylephrine Hydrochloride rather than Pseudoephedrine.

Personally, I'd recommend Galpharm Max Strength Decongestant Tablets which contain the same amount of Phenylephrine as Sudafed but are much cheaper.

[237SJ]

Those countries being China the Prof? I can`t remember what the unit was but in China, producing a unit of pseudoephedrine cost $65 per unit but by the time it arrived in the States, it was worth $10,000 per unit. The powers that be seemed to be quite concerned by the small -time producers that cooked crystal meth in their garages. Apart from the obvious problems of small time users, there is quite a risk to the surrounding areas. Maybe that is because the cooks extract lithium from batteriers to make produce the drug. Those small-time users are not in the league of the big boys but the availabilty of pseudoephedrine/ephedrine certainly seems to be an issue.

[theprof]

One of them 237SJ. Unit was Kg if I remember rightly. Certain Middle East countries are quite busy in this respect too.

I could comment much more on your original question but it would be both unprofessional and unethical for me to do so I'm afraid.

[237SJ]

Fair enough Prof. I know Mexico is a big player in the ephridrine stakes but I hadn`t heard the Middle East was. An interesting topic all the same.

[boxtops]

Different drug, but when I travelled to the Middle East I had to carry a letter from my GP explaining why I was carrying codeine.

[237SJ]

Boxy, good for you for following the rules. I might come a cropper one day (but I doubt it). I have carried codeine into the UAE for the last 18 years and I`m still here and not in prison.