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.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom