Mexico limits some cold remedies in narcotics war

By Noel Randewich

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Everyday cold medicines in Mexico will be moved behind the counter from September to stop drug gangs from using them to make illegal narcotics.

Many over-the-counter decongestants in Mexico contain pseudoephedrine, a chemical that can be used to make highly addictive methamphetamine, often known as crystal meth.

"Establishments that openly sell these kinds of classified medicines can continue until August 31," the health ministry said in a statement late on Wednesday.

On Thursday, some Mexico City pharmacies were already refusing to sell cold medicine without a prescription.

Methamphetamine production is booming in Mexico. Superlabs have sprung up to supply the U.S. market after a crackdown shut many U.S. meth labs, according to the U.S. government.

Labs south of the border have also benefited from easier access in Mexico to precursor chemicals like ephedrine and pseudoephedrine.

In the United States, medicines containing pseudoephedrine became prescription-only last year. Buyers must now show pharmacists photo-identification.

Agreements with pharmaceutical companies to stop using pseudoephedrine mean Mexico will import only 33 tonnes of the substance this year, down from a planned 40 tonnes, the health ministry said.