Dr Lalabalavu stresses wider consultation needed to control the use of Pseudoephedrine in Fiji

As calls are now being made to control the use of Pseudoephedrine for the production of hard drugs like methamphetamine in Fiji, Minister for Health, Doctor Atonio Lalabalavu says it needs to come through a wider consultation with the Ministry and other stakeholders.

There have been ongoing concerns on methamphetamine being cooked in parts of Fiji including some maritime islands.

Many people have been calling on the government to take urgent action as these ingredients can be bought from the pharmacies.

When questioned by fijivillage News on what is being done, Doctor Lalabalavu says other active medications work similarly to Pseudoephedrine that is out there in the market.

He says cough mixtures particularly those containing ingredients like Pseudoephedrine or ephedrine, are sometimes misused in the illegal manufacture of methamphetamine, which is found in many over-the-counter cold and allergy medications.

When questioned by fijivillage News if the particular ingredient will be banned from being sold at the pharmacies, Doctor Lalabalavu again says that they are currently discussing it.

Doctor Lalabalavu adds they do take into consideration that the ingredient is used to develop hard drugs and the Ministry of Health and the other stakeholders are looking into ways to solve the issue.