The health ministry will designate eight drug ingredients as having abuse potential under the law in response to rising concerns about potential overdoses among young people using over-the-counter medicines.
The decision, made by its subcommittee on Friday, will be made public in mid-February.
Currently, six ingredients commonly found in cold or cough medicines are designated as drugs that may be abused under ministerial ordinances and other rules.
The new designation will add dextromethorphan, an antitussive ingredient, and diphenhydramine, an antihistamine, bringing the total number of designated substances to eight.
These ingredients will be subject to sales restrictions under the revised pharmaceutical and medical device law, which takes effect in May.
The revised law will stipulate measures that have been outlined under ministerial ordinances and other rules. It will also strengthen regulations, such as limiting individuals under 18 to purchasing only one small-volume product containing the designated ingredients, with each package intended for five to seven days’ use.