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Pubdate: Wed, 07 Jul 2004 Source: Sun Herald (MS) Copyright: 2004, The Sun Herald Contact: http://www.sunherald.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/432 Author: Denise Grones, Associated Press SALE OF COLD MEDS RESTRICTED JACKSON - Although Mississippi has no law restricting the sale of over-the-counter cold medicines, some pharmacies are controlling purchases. Pseudoephedrine, found in cold and allergy medicines, is the key ingredient in the production of methamphetamine. At Brandon Discount Drugs, customers must request common drugs like Actifed or Sudafed from the pharmacist. "We started putting them in the back a long time ago," pharmacist Waymon Tigrett said. "If they are using it for a legitimate use, we will sell it to them for legal reasons only," he said. "Most pharmacists I know either put their cold medicines in the back or make customers sign for them. Pharmacy chains such as Fred's and Wal-Mart will only sell up to three boxes of drugs containing pseudoephedrine at one time. Ten states have laws restricting the sales of cold and allergy medicines. State Rep. Steve Holland, D-Plantersville, said the methamphetamine problem is a growing concern and if the state chose to enact a law to restrict the sales of over-the counter cold medicines, he would support it. "We need to look at this very carefully," said Holland, chairman of the House Public Health Committee. "It's sad that the people who really need those medicines are being imperiled by the people who are abusing it, but we can't have those drugs used for illegal purposes." Mississippi passed a law in 2001 that increased criminal penalties for those people who are caught with products used to make methamphetamine. "If someone is caught with two or more listed precursors and we have proof they intended to manufacture, it's a felony charge with up to 30 years in prison," Owens said. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth