Australia: National network to track pseudoephedrine sales

A national network has been launched that allows pharmacies to swap information on people they suspect are stockpiling over-the-counter medicines to make illegal drugs.

The online program logs details about repeat purchases of pseudoephedrine, allowing pharmacists and police to track suspected drug runners.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia says it will make it harder for criminals to get the ingredients needed to make methamphetamines or speed.

Guild president Kos Sclavos says the system could also be used to monitor the sale of other dangerous drugs.

"That's what the exciting thing about this tool is, it will have other applications but for today the main thing is we want to stamp out illicit drug use and we want to stamp out the use of pharmacies as sourcing the number one scourge on our community, and young Australians who are falling prey to speed and it's the number one party drug for weekends for young Australians and that's a very sad situation," he said.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Thur, 06 April 2006
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia -Web)
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Copyright: 2006 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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