Pubdate: Wed, 26 Jan 2005
Source: Gadsden Times, The (AL)
Copyright: 2005 The Gadsden Times
Contact:  http://www.gadsdentimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1203
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion)

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER?

Drug Companies Addressing Meth Problem

It is good that at least one major drug company - Pfizer, Inc. - is
addressing the problem of its over-the-counter cold medications being
used to manufacture methamphetamine. Pfizer, Inc., has released an
alterative decongestant that cannot be used to make meth, as the
company's drugs Sudafed and Actifed can. The action comes after some
states had restricted customer access to over-the-counter drugs
containing pseudophedrine - the ingredient used to make meth - to try
to control manufacture of the drug.

But officials in Tennessee, and possibly other states, are justified
in asking what took Pfizer so long.

Sudafed PE contains phenylephrine. It can't be used to make
methamphetamine, and it's already been used in some of the company's
products marketed in Europe since 2003.

A cynic might point out the correlation between this new drug offering
and efforts to move pseduophedrine containing drugs behind pharmacy
counters and off easily-accessible store shelves. An assistant U.S.
attorney suggested profits and the potential that states will restrict
sales of pseudophedrine drugs motivated the release of Sudafed PE next
month.

Tennessee leads the nation in meth lab seizures, but no one has to
look across state lines to see serious problems with methamphetamine.
The Etowah County Drug Task Force seized its fifth crystal meth lab of
the year last week - only three weeks into 2005.

Last year, between 35 and 40 labs were seized in the county. Commander
Randall Johnson said it looks like the number will be higher this
year. He blames a lack of control of the sale of methamphetamine too,
but at small stores that continue to sell unlimited amounts of the
medication. Most larger stores regulate sales, but meth makers are
still getting their hands on it.

Johnson agrees with laws like one in Oklahoma moving pseudophedrine
drugs behind the counter, and he would like to see all stores
monitoring or limited sales of the decongestants.

A combination of better control at stores could help law enforcement
in their battle against methamphetamine. The availability of
decongestants without pseudophedrine should allow drug makers to do
their part without depriving customers (or themselves.)

Both methods of controlling methamphetamine makers already should have
been employed. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake