27 May 2008
The scheduling of medicines takes into account their risk, their benefit and their safety. Medicines containing ephedrine, pseudo ephedrine and d-nor-pseudo ephedrine have been rescheduled not only in South Africa as a result of widespread abuse of these components for the illicit manufacturing of drugs of abuse. Concerns have been raised by the public on the increasingly easy availability of Tic. These components are a precursor for the manufacture of Tic.
Comments were invited from industry on the possibility of rescheduling the above-mentioned three components. Responses were mixed, for and against.
These components are commonly used in combination with analgesics for the management of coughs and colds. The regulation limits the pack size to one course per person and one package per person per episode. The scheduling in such cases does not change. This, we believe does not compromise availability. Further, a phase-in period of six months for changing the packaging has been granted.
Ephedrine, pseudo-ephedrine and d-nor-pseudo ephedrine not in combination with other products have been rescheduled to Schedule 6. The majority of these are used in slimming preparations. The public can access these on prescription.
It must be noted that there are other cough and cold preparations on the market that do not contain these three ingredients.
For more information contact: Charity Bhengu (012) 312 0420 or 083 679 7424
Issued by:
Department of Health
Ms Mandisa Health
Head of Medicine Control Council (MCC)