Pubdate: Wed, 02 Mar 2005 Source: Lexington Herald-Leader (KY) Copyright: 2005 Lexington Herald-Leader Contact: http://www.kentucky.com/mld/heraldleader/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/240 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) HOUSE TO CONSIDER METH INGREDIENT BILL Would Restrict Sale Of Cold, Allergy Pills FRANKFORT - The state House is scheduled to take up legislation today aimed at curbing manufacture of illicit meth-amphetamine and regulating shipments of addictive prescription pills into the state by online pharmacies. House members planned to vote on the bill yesterday but were asked by the bill's Senate sponsor to wait a day, said House Majority Leader Rocky Adkins, D-Sandy Hook. The senator, Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, said in an interview that he requested the extra time so he could meet with Rep. Frank Rasche, a Paducah Democrat, who has filed several amendments relating to meth-amphetamine provisions. Some of the bill's backers say the changes would "gut" its effectiveness in controlling production of the dangerous and addictive stimulant. The current bill would limit the sale of cold and allergy tablets that contain a key ingredient used by most home-built meth labs. A person could buy no more than 9 grams per month, or about 300 tablets, of medicine containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, a decongestant, if the bill is passed in its present form. The restrictions would not apply to liquids or gel-caps. The bill would also allow only pharmacists or pharmacist technicians to sell the pills, and buyers would have to sign for purchases and show identification. But Rasche said he is concerned that limiting sales of the tablets only to pharmacies would create "a cartel and a monopoly." His amendment would delete that restriction. Rasche conceded yesterday that he doubted the amendment would pass. He and Stivers met yesterday afternoon and both said afterward that they still disagreed on the issue. The other major provisions of the bill would require state licensing of Internet pharmacies and make it a felony for an unlicensed pharmacy to distribute drugs in Kentucky. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom