Special Monster:
I'm not chemist, but some people who I would trust to know have told me that there is CERTAINLY a new synthesis method. The details depend on who you ask.
Some say it no longer involves Safrole oil (I find this hard to believe), they all say that they have found an alternative to one of the major precursors which had recently been outlawed in China (alas, i forget the name). One thing that may or may not have a bearing is that I've heard the new approach leaves you with lower yeilds and involves quite a convoluted purification process.
I have no evidence of this, and I would imagine the process will remain private for a while.
I'd like some molly! Also as our county runs out of money, you will see good quality drugs return, and I think when the Tories get in, we'll see a return to the old days where most things were readily available and high quality.