PSEUDOEPHEDRINE RULE TAKES EFFECT

Oklahoma pharmacies ran out of time Monday to place pseudoephedrine tablets
behind the counter. If the methamphetamine additive is out in the open,
pharmacies are now risking the chance of substantial fines or even jail
time, said Mark Woodward, spokesman for the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics
and Danger Drugs.

Gov. Brad Henry signed legislation April 6 that banned the sale of
pseudoephedrine tablets in stores without a licensed pharmacist. The law
does not affect the sale of decongestant ingredient in capsule and liquid
forms.

The law also required that licensed pharmacies place the tablets behind the
counter or in a secure location. Customers must show photo identification
and provide a signature to buy pseudoephedrine tablets.

Officials granted pharmacies a 60-day grace period before having to secure
their tablets and begin logging signatures.

"We've already visited hundreds of pharmacies around the state and found
most have been in compliance since early April," Woodward said. "However,
there have been a few that have been dragging their feet."