Turning a popular hay fever remedy into methamphetamine—or
“speed”—is a common trick among the backstreet chemists who produce many
illicit drugs. Now Warner-Lambert of New Jersey has found a way to prevent
decongestant pills being used as a feedstock for speed by giving them a new
coating (WO 00/15261).
Pharmacists sell pseudoephedrine hydrochloride as an over-the-counter
decongestant for colds and hay fever. Drugs companies add “blocking” chemicals
that prevent the pills being turned into speed. But criminals have learned how
to extract the pure drug. Now Warner-Lambert has found that a coating of amino
polymer not only…
