PHARMACIES ADAPT TO COLD MEDICINE LAW

Some pharmacies in Rocky Mount are still adjusting to a new state law
that restricts the sale of cold medications to thwart the production
of methamphetamine.

The legislation adds a step to the process of purchasing some
over-the-counter pills. But several pharmacists and consumers this
week said it's a small inconvenience for crimping the manufacture of
an illegal drug.

"None of our customers have seemed to mind," said Barbara Coley,
staff pharmacist at Thompson Pharmacy on Falls Road. "It seems like
(the law is) serving a worthy purpose."

As of Sunday, buyers must now request medications that contain
pseudoephedrine, such as Sinutab or Sudafed, at a pharmacy counter.
Sales are limited to two packages at a time and three per month.

Consumers must be able to prove they are 18 years old and sign a log
that can be checked by law enforcement officers hoping to nab buyers
who stock up on the ingredient by moving from store to store.

The regulation is designed to cut into the growing production of
methamphetamine in North Carolina. Authorities discovered nine labs
in 1999 -- the first year labs were reported in the state. Last year,
investigators found 328 amateur labs.

The law is based on one passed in Oklahoma in 2004 that helped reduce
the production of meth there by 80 percent, the N.C. Justice
Department said. It affects pills and caplets but not liquids, liquid
capsules or gel capsules, since those forms of the medicine are not
commonly used to make meth.

Richard Nelson, pharmacist at the Walgreens drug store on Sunset
Avenue, said the business has adapted to the law. Nelson said
corporate policy prevents him from commenting to the media, but he
pointed out the changes on the cold medicine aisle Tuesday.

Boxes on the shelf have been replaced with hanging tags. Each tag has
a photo of the product's box on the front and its information on the
back. Customers take the ticket to the counter to purchase the medication.

Other pharmacies in the area plan to employ the same method. But some
are winging it for the time being.

Mickey League, a pharmacist at Almand's Drug Store at Westridge
Village, said her store has yet to receive tags from its wholesaler.

"We're going to make copies of the boxes and set them out so
customers can see the product and its ingredients," League said.
"It's a little tough now for them to know what we've got."

The problem at Almand's is compounded by the fact that the store is
being remodeled. League said approximately 45 containers of
medication they had to pull off the shelves are now in a large box
behind the counter -- a mishmash of Drixoral, Tylenol, Benadryl,
Claritin and other brands. But she said many customers know what
brand they want ahead of time.

"I understand the need to do it," League said.

League also said it may become a moot point, since many cold medicine
makers are moving to replace pseuoephedrine with phenylephrine -- an
ingredient that does the same thing without enabling meth production.

As she examined the shelves at Walgreens, Debbie Figlewski said she
generally frowns on new forms of government control.

"It seems like a lot of times, it just allows them to wield influence
and create unnecessary jobs," she said.

But Figlewski said the restrictions on purchasing cold medicine don't
bother her.

"I guess I can see where it would stop these labs and what not," she
said. "Anything to stop illegal drug use."