Meth Epidemic Prompting Lawmakers to Restrict Sales of Cold Medicines

[Tsiyu]

By Erica Werner Associated Press Writer
Published: Jan 26, 2005

WASHINGTON (AP) - The fight against methamphetamine may be moving from the streets to the corner drug store.
A dozen Republican and Democratic senators want to put nonprescription cold medicines that contain pseudoephedrine, the main ingredient used to make meth, behind the counter. Consumers would have to talk to a pharmacy worker and show photo ID before purchasing Sudafed, Tylenol flu medicine or other popular remedies.

Local law enforcement officials applaud the proposed legislation, but drug industry groups are lining up against it. They argue it would create unacceptable barriers for regular customers with a headache, fever or runny nose.

"It will limit access for the legitimate consumers to cough and cold products," said Mary Ann Wagner, vice president for pharmacy regulatory affairs at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. "They're going to have to wait in line with everybody else, take the pharmacist away from their prescription customers to police the sales of the pseudoephedrine products."

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGB89BD6F4E.html