Manchester to ban over-the-counter pseudoephedrine

The Manchester Board of Aldermen on Oct. 15 voted 5-1 to ban over-the-counter pseudoephedrine, effective Nov. 15. The medicine will still be available with a doctor’s prescription.

Alderman John John Diehl (Ward 3) was the only one opposed.

Pseudoephedrine is the key ingredient used to create meth but also is found in many allergy drugs, including Claritin-D, Sudafed and Zyrtec-D. The new legislation was created in the hopes to curb makers of meth as well as meth labs.

As previously reported in West Newsmagazine, aldermen, residents, police and members of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and Consumer Healthcare Products Association have debated both sides of the issue. Among the opposed, concerns included decreasing drug sales for businesses, availability of the medication during doctors’ off-hours and whether the issue should be dealt with at a city or state level.

The new legislation will go into effect 15 days after Maryland Heights-based Highland Pharmaceuticals is expected to release Zephrex-D, a new decongestant that is said to have the same effect of pseudoephedrine but cannot be converted into meth. The new drug will be available Nov. 1 at a few national chains and local stores.