Congress Proposed Restricting Cold Medicine Sales December 23, 2005
News Summary
Attached to the Dec. 14 renewal of the USA Patriot Act were several restrictions on the sale of medicines containing pseudoephedrine, which can be used to manufacture methamphetamine, the New York Times reported Dec. 15.The legislation would require stores to keep cold medicines such as Sudafed under lock and key, ask that consumers provide a signature and a driver's license, and limit each purchase to one box a day and three per month.
Officials at the Drug Enforcement Administration support the proposal, stating that controlling the supply of such medications is the most effective way to prevent people from abusing them. Thirty-four states impose restrictions like those offered in the Act.
The Food and Drug Administration, however, counters that these restrictions unnecessarily burden those who need cold medications for legitimate use. Stable sales figures suggest that diversion of medicines like Sudafed is not a substantial portion of overall sales.
The meth legislation creates a new "behind-the-counter" class of medications, which have not been highly effective in many other countries, although some states saw a sharp reduction in meth labs found after cold medicine sales were restricted.
The Patriot Act, along with this and other provisions, passed in the House of Representatives and is still under review by the Senate.
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