Request for Regional Data on Pseudoephedrine Sales and Methamphetamine Use
Sarah Burns made this Official Information request to Ministry of Health
Currently waiting for a response from Ministry of Health, they must respond promptly and normally no later than (details and exceptions).
From: Sarah Burns
Kia ora,
Under the Official Information Act 1982, I request the following information for the period from January 2023 to the present:
1. A breakdown of pseudoephedrine-based medicine sales (e.g. Sudafed) by region, district, or town—particularly in:
• Waipukurau
• Napier/Hawke’s Bay
• Rotorua
• Other areas with significant increases in methamphetamine use, as identified through national wastewater data
2. Any internal analysis or reporting that compares pseudoephedrine sales data with methamphetamine detection trends (e.g. from ESR wastewater testing or Police data), including any assessment of:
• Regional correlations
• Risks of diversion for illicit manufacture
3. Any correspondence or concerns raised by pharmacists, health authorities, or law enforcement regarding unusually high sales of pseudoephedrine products in specific areas.
Please provide the information in electronic format. If any aspect of this request is considered too broad, I am happy to refine it.
Ngā mihi,
Sarah Burns
From: OIA Requests
Kia ora Sarah,
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the
Act), received by the Ministry of Health on 19 May 2025. You requested:
"I request the following information for the period from January 2023 to
the present:
1. A breakdown of pseudoephedrine-based medicine sales (e.g.
Sudafed) by region, district, or town—particularly in:
• Waipukurau
• Napier/Hawke’s Bay
• Rotorua
• Other areas with significant increases in methamphetamine
use, as identified through national wastewater data
2. Any internal analysis or reporting that compares
pseudoephedrine sales data with methamphetamine detection trends (e.g.
from ESR wastewater testing or Police data), including any assessment of:
• Regional correlations
• Risks of diversion for illicit manufacture
3. Any correspondence or concerns raised by pharmacists,
health authorities, or law enforcement regarding unusually high sales of
pseudoephedrine products in specific areas."
The reference number for your request is H2025067232. As required under
the Act, the Ministry will endeavour to respond to your request no later
than 20 working days after the day your request was received:
http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/.
If you have any queries related to this request, please do not hesitate to
get in touch ([1][email address]).
Ngā mihi
OIA Services Team
[2]Ministry of Health information releases
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References
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1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
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