Hon David SeymourAssociate Minister of Health
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing
pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June.
“This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised that
New Zealanders want these medicines for winter, and we've done our part in achieving this by changing the law swiftly
and overseeing a fast approval process by Medsafe. The only step left is for pharmaceutical companies to get the
medicines to our shores, which they’ve indicated they can do by winter,” says Mr Seymour.
“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.”
The Misuse of Drugs (Pseudoephedrine) Amendment Bill passed its final reading unanimously in the House this week. The
bill reclassifies pseudoephedrine from a Class B to a Class C controlled drug. Along with changes to the Medicines
Regulations 1984, this means New Zealanders will be able to purchase cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine
from a pharmacy without a prescription.
“New Zealanders have been denied decent cold and flu medication for years because of a misguided ban caused by fears it
would be used for methamphetamine production. The reality is that the gangs have far more effective ways of obtaining
pseudoephedrine to manufacture methamphetamine and we should tackle these head on instead,” says Mr Seymour.
“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.
“The coalition government has delivered on its commitment to making principled decisions by getting rid of red tape that
doesn’t make sense and allowing sick New Zealanders greater freedom and choice to purchase effective cold and flu
medicines.”
Note to editors: For more information see the Ministry of Health’s website: Pseudoephedrine cold and flu medicines | Ministry of Health NZ