REVISED METH BILL HEADED FOR DEBATE

Jefferson City - A measure that would restrict sales of an
over-the-counter medication used to make methamphetamine is headed to
the full Senate for debate after a committee voted 8-1 Wednesday to
forward the legislation with changes sought by pharmacists.

"I think it's a better bill than we started off with," said Sen. Norma
Champion, R-Springfield. Her bill was combined with a similar one
offered by Sen. John Cauthorn, R-Mexico.

The measure now limits purchases of pseudoephedrine to 9 grams within
30 days, instead of the package limit lawmakers previously considered.
Nine grams is equal to about three packages of regular Sudafed.

The new version, which could see further changes, addressed
pharmacists' concerns about who would be responsible for enforcing the
law, Champion said.

Her bill would have required them to set up a system to track sales of
the key ingredient in both cold medicines and meth.

Gov. Matt Blunt's office preferred classifying pseudo-ephedrine as a
Schedule V narcotic, handled like buprenorphine, for example, which is
used to treat heroin addicts.

A system is already in place at pharmacies to track sales of such
drugs.

"We know the system already works. It's already in place," Champion
said.

Oklahoma, the first state to adopt such restrictions, classifies
pseudoephedrine as a Schedule V narcotic.

The new version of the Missouri measure also more closely mimics
Oklahoma law by excluding pseudoephedrine gel caps, liquid caps and
liquids. Those forms typically aren't used to make meth. Only
pharmacies could sell regular forms of the tablet, such as Sudafed.

Ronald Leone, a lobbyist with the Missouri Petroleum Marketers &
Convenience Store Association, said he was pleased his members would
be able to keep other forms of pseudoephedrine in stock.

"My whole purpose was to make sure that (lawmakers) allow us to
continue to sell some products to law-abiding citizens," he said.

Changes to the previous version also mean pseudo-ephedrine buyers
wouldn't have to sign for purchases, but they would still have to show
photo identification and print their names and addresses.

The new version would also ban sales of regular tablets to people
younger than 18.