Pubdate: Mon, 18 Dec 2006 Source: Charlotte Observer (NC) Copyright: 2006 The Charlotte Observer Contact: http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/78 Author: Andrew Shain, Consumer Writer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) SNIFFLES MAY NOT STOP Consequences Of Behind-The-Counter Rules Medicines On Shelves Called Weaker Stuffed up? You might want to check the label before grabbing your favorite medicine off the drugstore shelf. In response to new laws to curb illegal methamphetamine production, the makers of Sudafed, Tylenol and other drugs have reformulated their cold medications this winter to eliminate the decongestant pseudoephedrine. Its substitute, phenylephrine or PE, isn't as effective and must be taken more frequently, experts say. A study released this fall by Claritin maker Shering-Plough found PE gave as much nasal relief as a placebo. Some consumer advocates and members of Congress want a reluctant Food and Drug Administration to re-examine 30-year-old PE dosage standards. To get pseudoephedrine medicines, you must go to the pharmacy counter, wait in line and hand over your driver's license. "I feel like a crook, like I'm going to cook some meth," said Anna Smith, who was buying the medicine at a Target in Matthews. "It doesn't make me feel any safer, any better." Plus, driver's license data used to track sales are entered at registers that are vulnerable to ID theft, said Avivah Litan of the Gartner Group: "This is far from the best system." Retailers say customer data are safe. An N.C. law pushed pills containing pseudoephedrine behind pharmacy counters in January. South Carolina passed a similar ban this spring. A federal law in October sent back the remainder. The number of N.C. meth labs found has fallen 43 percent to 186 in the past year. "It's a small inconvenience for a major public safety benefit," N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper said. Consequences of Behind-the-Counter Rules Nasal Decongestants Pseudoephedrine (PSE) -- Former medicine of choice, but used to make methamphetamine. Was in 200 products on the market last year; now in 30, CVS says. Phenylephrine (PE) -- Replacement but must be taken every four hours instead of six for PSE. Almost nonexistent a year ago; now in 100 products. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom