Pubdate: Tue, 29 Nov 2005
Source: Tribune Review (Pittsburgh, PA)
Copyright: 2005 Tribune-Review Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/460
Author: Judy Kroeger

PHARMACIES REGULATE METH INGREDIENT

Whether from nasal congestion caused by allergies, colds or the flu, 
a popular decongestant called pseudoephedrine provides relief without 
the drowsiness often associated with antihistamines.

Unfortunately, pseudoephedrine can be used as an ingredient in 
methamphetamine, an illegal drug.

To stem the tide of meth manufacturing, the U.S. Senate in September 
approved a bill limiting how much cold medicine containing 
pseudoephedrine people may buy and requiring them to show photo 
identification and sign a log.

The U.S. House has not passed similar legislation as yet.

Pennsylvania's General Assembly is working on legislation to limit 
sales to people who are 18 years-old or older, but no restrictions 
are in place.

However, many stores have already adopted voluntary regulations 
regarding the sale of "single entity" pseudoephedrine products, those 
that only have the decongestant as its primary ingredient. Other 
products that combine pain killers, cough suppressant or other 
ingredients with the decongestant, are not regulated.

However, many stores have already adopted regulations.

Wal-Mart's company-wide police limits all customers' purchases of 
products containing pseudoephedrine as its only active ingredient to 
three per visit. Pharmacy employees are told to ask customers for 
identification proving they are 18 years old or older.

Wal-Mart keeps plastic cards showing the picture of the product on 
the shelves in place of the actual product. Customers take the card 
to the pharmacist and are then directed to a nearby shelf.

At all Eckerd Drug stores, customers take a printed version of the 
drug's label to the pharmacist.

Locally-owned stores have varied policies.

At Martin's in Connellsville, all single-entity pseudoephedrine 
products are behind the pharmacy counter. John Holonich, pharmacy 
manager, said that these pills are behind the pharmacy counter "to 
prevent theft. Combination products are on the shelf."

At Pechin's in Dunbar Township, pseudoephedrine products are not 
behind a counter, but "they are by the pharmacy and easily watched," 
said Beth Means, store manager.

The Connellsville Shop 'n Save keeps pseudoephedrine products on the 
shelf, as does Healthland in Connellsville.

"It doesn't surprise me that the drug stores are having some issues 
(with decongestant sales) because it is voluntary right now," said 
Rob Quigley, executive director of Drug Free Pennsylvania.

According to the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration, 
methamphetamine can be made from commonly available household 
products such as lye, lithium batteries, rock salt and pseudoephedrine.

In 2004, the DEA, state and local officials seized 106 
methamphetamine labs statewide. The DEA seized 4.1 kilograms of 
methamphetamine that same year, compared to 173.8 kilograms of 
cocaine and 14.3 kilograms of heroin.

Most seized methamphetamine labs were located in rural areas in 
northwestern Pennsylvania and the Pocono mountains.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman