Normally easily obtainable over-the-counter flu drugs such as Sinucon and Coldclear were absent from most pharmacies throughout last week.

But fears that these drugs would now only be available on prescription were dispelled by the Namibian Medicines Control Council this week.

Registrar of Medicines Johannes Gaeseb said although Namibia had decided not to reclassify flu drugs, importing these medicines from South Africa had become more cumbersome because of the new legislation there.

With all drugs containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine now classified as Schedule 6 drugs (only available on prescription) in South Africa, Namibian pharmacies have to obtain a special permit to buy them.

One pharmacist spoken to this week said they had been caught off-guard by the new requirements and thus were out of stock.

Gaeseb said he didn't expect the need for a permit to cause any long-term trouble for Namibia.

He said that it would merely require proper planning by pharmacies to make sure they didn't run out of stock.

"It doesn't take long to get the permit.

They could get it in about a week or so from us, but then of course it depends on the South African regulatory authorities as well," he said.

South Africa recently decided to reclassify medicines containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and d-norpseudoephedrine to Schedule 6 drugs from their previous classification of Schedule 2.

This was done because illegal drug dealers extract ephedrine from legally bought pills to manufacture methamphetamine - popularly known as 'speed', 'meth' or 'tik'.

Namibia is expected to re-classify appetite suppressants containing pure ephedrine by the end of the year.

Gaeseb told The Namibian last week that flu and sinusitis medicines containing variants of ephedrine would remain Schedule 2 drugs in Namibia.

He said this would benefit the less privileged, who would otherwise have to add the cost of a doctor's appointment to the price of medicines if they have the flu.

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