SALE OF COLD MEDS RESTRICTED

JACKSON - Although Mississippi has no law restricting the sale of
over-the-counter cold medicines, some pharmacies are controlling purchases.

Pseudoephedrine, found in cold and allergy medicines, is the key ingredient
in the production of methamphetamine.

At Brandon Discount Drugs, customers must request common drugs like Actifed
or Sudafed from the pharmacist.

"We started putting them in the back a long time ago," pharmacist Waymon
Tigrett said.

"If they are using it for a legitimate use, we will sell it to them for
legal reasons only," he said. "Most pharmacists I know either put their
cold medicines in the back or make customers sign for them.

Pharmacy chains such as Fred's and Wal-Mart will only sell up to three
boxes of drugs containing pseudoephedrine at one time.

Ten states have laws restricting the sales of cold and allergy medicines.

State Rep. Steve Holland, D-Plantersville, said the methamphetamine problem
is a growing concern and if the state chose to enact a law to restrict the
sales of over-the counter cold medicines, he would support it.

"We need to look at this very carefully," said Holland, chairman of the
House Public Health Committee. "It's sad that the people who really need
those medicines are being imperiled by the people who are abusing it, but
we can't have those drugs used for illegal purposes."

Mississippi passed a law in 2001 that increased criminal penalties for
those people who are caught with products used to make methamphetamine.

"If someone is caught with two or more listed precursors and we have proof
they intended to manufacture, it's a felony charge with up to 30 years in
prison," Owens said.