Pubdate: Mon, 19 Sep 2005 Source: Sampson Independent, The (NC) Copyright: 2005, The Sampson Independent Contact: http://www.clintonnc.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1704 Author: Chris Berendt Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) METH LAW DROPS MORE REGS ON PHARMACISTS' LAP CLINTON - Pharmacists have been asked to shoulder additional responsibilities with the passing of a new state law putting some cold and allergy medications behind the counter, an effort by legislators to cut down on the rising number of methamphetamine labs in the state. The law's full effect has not yet been seen at some pharmacies in Clinton. The law places over-the-counter cold tablets containing pseudoephedrine and ephedrine, the critical ingredient needed to make the illegal drug, behind pharmacy counters. Customers will need to show picture identification and sign a log is they wish to purchase such pills, the law states. Jimmy Matthews, pharmacist at Matthews Drug, said that he has not received notification from the Board of Pharmacy or any other government entity regarding a log or picture identification requirement. He said that medications have been placed behind the counter and are being regulated. "It's not affected our operation at all," Matthews said in a telephone interview Friday. "I haven't seen any major problems. I personally like it and think it's going to be fine." He said that the law has helped the pharmacy in that employees no longer have to answer questions as to why purchases of certain medications are regulated. "It eliminates that problem," said Matthews. Medications containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine have almost entirely been pulled from shelves at Clinton Drug Co., according to pharmacist Steve Bass. He said Friday that the pharmacy has "pretty much pulled it off the shelf." Bass said that there was "a box or two" of the 12-tablet packages still on the shelves, but that the "bigger sizes" of the drug had been pulled completely. "We pretty much don't sell it anymore." Bass said that the law's passing has been negative for business, but that he can understand why such a law was needed. "It's slowed things down, slowed things down a lot," he said. "But it's for the right reasons. If this is going to curtail some of that then it is worth it. It's got to be curtailing it." The new legislation is said to fight the spread of meth labs in North Carolina. It is often the presence of numerous empty packets of allergy, cold and diet medications that tips off law enforcement to the possible existence of a meth lab. This year, Sampson County has had the most methamphetamine lab busts in the state east of Hickory with 10, according to N.C. State Bureau of Investigation statistics. "Our communities will be safer because of this tough new law," said Attorney General Roy Cooper upon the law's passing. "If criminals can't get the key ingredient, they can't make this dangerous illegal drug that's hurting children and families." The legislation adopted by the General Assembly, House Bill 248, tracks a model law passed last year in Oklahoma that has reportedly resulted in an 85 percent drop in meth labs in that state. The new law in North Carolina will require that all single and multi-source tablets containing pseudoephedrine and ephedrine be sold behind a pharmacy counter. According to the law, purchasers must be at least 18 years old and show a photo ID and sign a log to buy these products. The law also limits purchases of these products to no more than two packages at once and no more than three packages within 30 days without a prescription. Matthews said that he has not received an official notice of the log and photo ID requirement. "If it comes to that, I probably won't sell it," said Matthews. He said that medications have been placed behind the counter and are being regulated. But as far as an official notice of the law detailing a log and photo requirement on the pharmacy's behalf, that had not been received as of Thursday, Matthews said. Most liquid and gel cap forms of these cold remedies will remain available for sale on store shelves because there hav e been no meth labs reported in North Carolina where gels and liquids were used. However, the law allows government officials to place restrictions on all liquids and gels as they deem appropriate as a preventative measure. In 1999, the first year that meth labs were reported in North Carolina, SBI agents discovered 9 labs. That number has skyrocketed, with agents shutting down 322 labs in 2004 - and that number will likely be surpassed in 2005. - --- MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman