As part of information sharing with fellow colleagues in the Retail Chapter, we highlight 2 potential product-related abuse or diversion for the information & surveillance by pharmacists, especially colleagues who work at community settings.
1) Ethylchloride-containing Products
There have been some unconfirmed reports from various pharmacists that aerosol spray products containing Ethylchloride have been abused by members of the public, including some school students. Some abusers describe it as laughing gas. There was a recent news paper report on this. I t was described that abusers seek to derive pleasurable sensation from ethylchloride!
As much, it is recommended that your pharmacists to implement various measures to prevent such abuse. Some such measures have been communicated through the retail chapter meeting & email blast.
2) Pseudoephedrine-containing Products
The Central Narcotic Bureau (CNB) has observed that medication, which contains pseudoephedrine or ephedrine, has been used to extract and isolate compounds to produce methamphetamine (also known as "speed", "ice", "crystal" – a high addictive "designer" drug). This applies to combination products such as Panadol For Cold Relief.
As a large amount of medication is needed to extract just a few grams of pseudoephedrine or ephedrine, such abuse & diversion activities can be prevented if we can prevent unusual bulk purchase.
As such, do advise your colleagues (pharmacists or otherwise as OTC medication is involved) to be cautious.
Similarly, some control measures have been communicated at the Retail Chapter level & email blast sent to relevant parties.
Ivan Chew
PSS Retail Chapter
**********
