Come July, Mississippians will need a doctor's prescription to buy cold medicines like Mucinex, Claritin D and Sudafed.

Gov. Haley Barbour has signed House Bill 512, making any medicine that contains pseudoephedrine - a key ingredient in methamphetamine - a controlled substance as of July 1.

Supporters say the measure, which passed the House and Senate in recent weeks, will deter meth production.

"We are serious about reducing the use of methamphetamine in our state," Barbour said in a statement. "This law is another tool for law enforcement to fight illegal drugs and protect our communities. Meth use is a problem all over the nation, and I'm proud Mississippi can lead the way in battling this drug that damages lives."

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