COLD MEDICINES MOVED BEHIND COUNTER

As the temperature drops, the number of people suffering with
illnesses seems to rise, as does the amount of medicine sold to
alleviate the unwanted symptoms of the common cold. However, those
battling sniffles, coughs and itchy eyes this winter may be surprised
when they go to their local pharmacy and find they can no longer pick
up a box of any medicine containing pseudoephedrine, a common decongestant.

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Instead, those boxes of medicine have been replaced by cards dangling
from metal hooks that direct the customer to take the plastic ticket
to the pharmacist to purchase the product.

Restrictions were placed on the sales of all medications containing
pseudoephedrine a few months ago in an attempt to curtail
methamphetamine use. Pseudoephedrine is found in many medications
used to relieve symptoms associated with colds and allergies and is
also a main ingredient in the production of methampheta-mine, often
called crystal meth.

"We're trying to do our part to keep the drugs off the streets," said
Wal-Mart pharmacist Gary Moser.

Methamphetamine is a synthetic drug that's easily manufactured in
illegal laboratories across the United States, both big and small,
using household ingredients like cold medi-cines, rock salt and fertilizer.

Of 500 law enforcement agencies surveyed in 45 states, 58 percent
cited methamphetamine as their biggest drug problem, dwarfing
cocaine, marijuana and heroin, according to a National Association of
Counties report.

Although methamphetamine is more of a problem along the West Coast
than it is on the eastern side of the country, with only 4 percent of
counties in the Northeast rating the illegal substance as their
biggest drug problem, local law enforcement agencies support the
legislation that requires pseudoephedrine to be kept behind the
counter, saying they hope it will keep methamphetamine usage down.

In 2003, according to information from the state police, troopers
located 64 clandestine methamphetamine labs throughout the state and
located more than 77 labs during the first half of 2004.

Law enforcements officials say those who make methamphetamine will
have a harder time producing the illegal drug if the ingredients and
equipment used to create it are harder to obtain.

Moser said the Wal-Mart where he works, located in South Union
Township, began keeping all medicine containing pseudoephedrine
behind the counter three months ago.

Although policies differ, most stores do not allow customers to
purchase more than nine grams of pseudoephedrine at a time. The drug
is available in lower dosages, in products such as Sudafed and
Tylenol Allergy Complete, and most stores allow customers to purchase
up to three boxes of the medication at a time.

Moser said some customers have complained about the inconvenience of
having over-the-counter drugs behind the counter, but he said most
are OK with it after being told why the medication is no longer as
easily accessible.

In a written statement, Rite Aid Corporation announced its decision
to voluntarily move all pseudoephedrine products behind the pharmacy
counter before state and federal regulations required the company to do so.

"We are taking these steps because, unfortunately, there is a growing
number of people who choose to abuse these products by using them to
make methamphetamine," Jim Mastrian, senior executive vice president
of marketing, logistics and pharmacy services. "We believe it's the
right thing to do for the communities we serve because it helps to
insure a safer environment and assists law enforcement in protecting
our customers and associates."

Jody Cook, a spokeswoman for Rite Aid, said the drugstore chain will
continue to work closely with federal and state lawmakers to take
appropriate actions intended to prevent the abuse of pseudoephedrine
while at the same time making it as convenient as possible for
customers to meet their health needs.

Cook said that she feels the cards that customers can easily pick up
and take to the pharmacist are the best way to handle the situation,
and she said that approach seems to be working out well.

In addition, the state police have waged their own "war on illegal
methamphetamine production" and have distributed posters that show
what chemicals and equipment are often used to create the substance.

The posters also urge people to call the state police if they suspect
someone is purchasing any of the materials in order to manufacture
the drug, stating that the "manufacturing of methamphetamines can be
hazardous to everyone."