JEDDAH, 9 April 2007 — The Health Ministry has issued a directive ordering pharmacists not to sell medication containing pseudoephedrine without a doctor’s prescription.
The ban includes medications for flu and common cold that are generally purchased over the counter.
The statement, which was issued by the Health Affairs in the Eastern Province, said that the restriction was being enforced after it surfaced that some people were using the medicine to get drowsy. The statement also said that the drug also causes negative effects on the heart and the central nervous system.
Pharmacists have also been advised to register each time the medicine is handed over the counter with a proper certified medical prescription.
Jamal Habib, pharmacist at the Al-Wasfa Pharmacy in Jeddah, said that there are many other medicines that cause drowsiness and do not contain pseudoephedrine. Habib gave the example of antihistamine, which has a stronger drowsiness effect than pseudoephedrine.
He also said that there are other medications that cause a profound effect on the brain and can be bought over the counter without any Health Ministry regulations.
Karim Abdul Haq, a pharmacist at Dana Pharmacy, said that there are many people who buy pseudoephedrine-based medications just to sleep or relax. “Many times people come and ask for such medications and ask if I had something with a more drowsy effect,” he said.
He added that until today they have not received the Health Ministry directive and that they would oblige in following it once they receive it. “However, this statement would not stop people from abusing medicines. There are many other drugs that have similar effects and are bought over the counter,” he said.
