Pubdate: Sun, 13 Feb 2005
Source: Register-Herald, The (Beckley, WV)
Copyright: 2005 The Register-Herald
Contact:  http://www.register-herald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1441
Author: Jessica Farrish
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

PHARMACIES WORK TO STOP MEDICINE BEING USED FOR METH

At Drug Emporium at Beckley Crossing, certain cold medicines couldn't be 
stocked fast enough several years ago, first assistant manager Kathy Woods 
said.

"We couldn't put it on the shelf because it walked out of the store too 
fast," she said. "You'd go down the aisle, and there would be 12 gone at 
one time.

"We finally had to lock them up behind the pharmacy counter."

The pharmacy also adopted a policy limiting the number of cold medicines to 
one box per one person per purchase, Woods added.

Three chemicals in cold medicines - ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and 
phenylpropanolamine - are used in large quantities to make methamphetamine 
in labs around the state.

Gov. Joe Manchin has proposed a new law that would require customers to 
display a photo ID, give a birth date and sign a form showing the 
transaction date, name and amount purchased.

Anyone selling, making or distributing the three chemicals must be 
registered with the Board of Pharmacy under the proposed guidelines, and 
the substances could only be sold or distributed by a pharmacy, doctor, 
pharmacist or licensed pharmacy technician.

Although local pharmacies interviewed don't require a photo ID or a 
transaction slip for customers who want to purchase cold medicines, they 
already have policies aimed at limiting the amount of cold medicine purchased.

Like Drug Emporium, Rite Aid allows customers to purchase two cold 
medicines at a time.

Wal-Mart's voluntary sales limitation policy currently limits the sale of 
products containing pseudoedephrine.

The 1997 policy also allows customers to purchase only the number of cold 
medicines determined by state law. If a customer attempts to purchase more 
than state guidelines allow, the cash registers alert cashiers.

Each time a register limit is triggered, Wal-Mart spokesman Nate Hurst of 
Arkansas said, an information slip on methamphetamine is printed for the 
customer.
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MAP posted-by: Beth