Pseudoephedrine is an active ingredient in some medicines used to relieve nasal congestion (a blocked or stuffy nose) caused by colds, flu and allergies.
Law changes mean cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine have been reclassified from prescription to restricted (pharmacist-only), which will eventually allow the public to purchase these medicines from a pharmacist without a prescription.
These medicines are not in New Zealand pharmacies yet. The actual timeframe will depend on the speed of pharmaceutical companies to supply the New Zealand market.
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 2024.
Over-the-counter sales of pseudoephedrine
When cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine are available again, New Zealanders will only be able to buy these medicines following consultation with a New Zealand-registered pharmacist. The pharmacist must record information, including the person’s name and address, and can give advice as appropriate, including to people who should not take pseudoephedrine for clinical reasons.
Read more about pharmacist-only medicines on the Medsafe website.
The new arrangements will not require pharmacists to sell cold and flu products containing pseudoephedrine. It will be up to pharmacists to decide whether their pharmacy supplies these products or not.
Bringing pseudoephedrine into New Zealand for personal use
The rules for bringing pseudoephedrine into New Zealand will not change.
People lawfully supplied with a medicine containing pseudoephedrine overseas may bring up to one month’s supply with them back to New Zealand for personal use to treat their medical condition. The medicine must physically accompany the traveller.
Travellers cannot bring in these medicines for friends and family. The New Zealand Customs website has more information about bringing medicines into New Zealand: Prohibitions and restrictions – New Zealand Customs Service.
Ephedrine
Medicines containing ephedrine are unaffected by the changes and will remain unavailable for purchase in New Zealand.
Restrictions on importation
People will not be able to import medicines containing pseudoephedrine for personal use by mail. This makes sure that only safe and effective pseudoephedrine medicines are available in New Zealand.
Medicines containing pseudoephedrine will still be controlled drugs. This means a licence will still be needed to import and/or export products containing pseudoephedrine. The border restrictions will remain unchanged, and the New Zealand Customs Service will retain its powers to seize illicit importations, and may prosecute. Importation without a licence is and will remain an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975.