TARGET LIMITS ACCESS TO COLD MEDICINES

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Discount retailer Target Corp. no longer will allow
unfettered access to cold medicines that are used to make the illegal
stimulant methamphetamine.

Target stores nationwide will pull many cold, allergy and cough remedies
from their regular shelves and sell them only from pharmacy counters, the
Minneapolis-based company said.

The restrictions apply to all over-the-counter drugs containing
pseudoephedrine, including children's medicines, tablets, liquids and
gel-caps, spokeswoman Carolyn Brookter said. Pseudoephedrine is a key
ingredient for meth, which can be made in makeshift labs.

The products won't be sold at all by about 300 Target stores that don't
have pharmacies. Target operates 1,330 stores in 47 states and is the
nation's second-largest discount retailer after Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

Ms. Brookter said the shift, which will take effect in two to three months,
was in response to a growing number of state and local restrictions on the
sale of the medications.

Target says it's the first national retailer to take the step. A Wal-Mart
spokeswoman didn't return phone messages.