ACT leader David Seymour has replied to a request for comment following last week’s story on the Nelson App about a robbery at Motueka’s Unichem Pharmacy, targeting pseudoephedrine products.
The break-in was the first in the country following the reintroduction of pseudoephedrine medications for sale.
Seymour had championed their return to shelves, after they were removed in 2011 due to an increase in pharmacy break-ins and ramraids. Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant used in cold and flu medications, but it is also used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.
In his emailed response, Seymour says that pharmacy break-ins are not a new problem.
“For the period 1 May 2023 to 30 April 2024, there was a total of 207 burglaries at locations categorised as a pharmacy. This is part of a larger issue of crime, which the Government is focused on addressing through its law and order work.
“The answer for preventing crime isn’t preventing people from doing business. Pharmacists aren’t obligated to stock the medication, we’ve simply removed the red tape and regulation that prevented them from even having that choice,” he adds.
“Regardless, the drug market has moved on – the reality is that gangs have found other ways of getting methamphetamine, while people miss out on effective cold and flu medication. It is not expected that the return of pseudoephedrine will have a great impact on overall supply and demand.
“Work is under way to develop electronic recording systems for use across pharmacies and the health sector. This work was already under way when pseudoephedrine was made available to Kiwis again.”
