In an effort to stop the spread of methamphetamine use, lawmakers in Michigan last Thursday made additions to Public Acts 86 and 87 effective, making it harder to purchase certain over-the-counter drugs.
One component of methamphetamine is ephedrine, or pseudoephedrine, a common ingredient in cold medications like Sudafed or NyQuil which can be chemically altered into crystal meth.
Although some stores already made changes to the way the over-the-counter drugs are sold, pharmacies could face a state civil infraction of $50 per violation if the new requirements are not followed.
The new law states that products containing ephedrine should be sold as follows:
n Selling drugs containing pseudoephedrine to anyone under the age of 18 is prohibited.
n Customers 18 and older are limited to purchasing two packages, or no more than 48 tablets.
Pharmacies have four choices in how they securely store the products:
n Behind a counter where public is not permitted.
n In a locked case where customers must ask for assistance from an employee.
n Within 20 ft. of a counter that allows attendant an unobstructed view of the product, or allows the use of anti-theft devices such as detection alarms to deter theft.
n Use of anti-theft devices, video surveillance, purchase log and identification of purchaser when products are maintained within 20 ft. of a counter that is not staffed by one or more employees and the product is not in a locked case.
A warning sign must also be posted close to the point of sale. There are some exceptions to the law.
Pediatric products for children under 12, products which contain pseudoephedrine in liquid form and where it is not the only active ingredient and products dispensed through a legal prescription are not subject to the same laws.
Tim Davidson, a pharmacist at Patterson Prescription Pharmacy in downtown Oxford said there are re-formulated products which contain ephedrine, but that it doesn’t always cure the problem because they’re ‘not as effective.?
With the new law in place, Davidson believes there will be some improvement in cracking-down on meth labs. He said Patterson’s has always kept a close eye on ephedrine-based products.
‘Ours were always right across from the checkout counter so we can keep an eye on it,? he said.
Now, the medicine will be stored in a locked case and customers will need to ask for assistance.
After the law has been effect one whole year, the state police will have to write a report regarding the impact and effectiveness of the new law, specifically the number of meth labs being operated before and after, according to an excerpt from new law.
According to the state’s website, as of December 6, 2005, there were 249 meth labs seized in the state compared to 209 labs last year.