Pubdate: Sun, 06 Feb 2005
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2005 The Oklahoma Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.oklahoman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318
Author: Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

DATABASE FOR PHARMACIES MAY HELP CURB METH USE

An online state database linking pharmacies is a key ingredient to
further reduce illegal methamphetamine labs, the director of the
state's drug agency said.

A computer tracking system would prevent people from buying more
pseudoephedrine than the maximum amount allowed -- nine grams -- a
month, said Lonnie Wright, director of the Oklahoma Bureau of
Dangerous Drugs and Control.

House Bill 2176, the state's anti-meth law which was enacted in April,
restricts tablet sales of pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient of meth.

One way Gov. Brad Henry is trying to strengthen the anti-meth law is
seeking legislative approval this session for an online database
between pharmacies.

The anti-meth law requires specific types of decongestant medicines
which contains pseudoephedrine be placed behind pharmacy counters.
Buyers show their identification and sign a logbook when they make a
purchase.

The trouble is, Wright said, that some people who reach their limit at
one pharmacy go to another pharmacy to buy more pseudoephedrine. The
pharmacies have no way of checking with each other immediately to
determine whether buyers have exceeded the legal limit.

Under the plan, a computer tracking system in real time would connect
the bureau with each pharmacy, Wright said.

"When you came to buy pseudoephedrine, it would either authorize or
deny that transaction based on how much you had purchased in the
previous 30 days at any pharmacy anywhere in the state," Wright said.

If a person exceeds the limit, the transaction would be denied, Wright
said.

Phil Woodward, executive director of the Oklahoma Pharmacists
Association, said pharmacists support the idea of an online database.

"It's a great idea," Woodward said. "Obviously it's been kind of rough
to keep track of folks coming in and out of stores."

Woodward said his organization supported an online database between
pharmacies when the anti-methamphetamine legislation was being
written. Pharmacists, however, didn't have the finances to pay for the
software, he said.

"It actually probably would wind up being a lot easier for us when
somebody comes in the store to look in the computer and it will bring
all the information up for us, so we don't have to go back and look
through logs and trying to find somebody's name," Woodward said.

Wright said anyone buying more than nine grams of pseudoephedrine is
using it for purposes other than for medicine.

"About five grams is as much, if you took it steady for a 30-day
period, that you would need," Wright said. "You're not supposed to
take it steady."

Wright said gel capsules and liquid medicine containing
pseudoephedrine and ephedrine wouldn't be affected because they cannot
be easily converted into methamphetamine. Those types of medicine can
be bought at grocery and other stores.

No cost estimate is available for implementing an online database,
Wright said.

"We have some grant money and the governor has very generously offered
to make sure that we have the funding to see that we do that," Wright
said.

If approved, a system could be operational as soon as six months,
Wright said.

Henry said the success of the anti-meth legislation encourages him,
"but there is more we can and should do. ... This lethal drug has
wreaked havoc on far too many families for us to ease up now."

In addition to seeking an online state database linking pharmacies,
Henry is pushing for federal legislation to mirror Oklahoma's
restrictions on pseudoephedrine sales. He's asked U.S. Reps. Dan
Boren, D-Muskogee, and Tom Cole, R-Moore, to help with a proposed bill.

Former U.S. Rep. Brad Carson, D-Claremore, submitted legislation in
May aimed at restricting access nationally to the widely available
chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine. The measure failed to
advance.

Meth lab seizures have dropped more than 70 percent since the state's
anti-methamphetamine law was enacted in April, bureau figures show.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Derek