New bill tries to control pseudoephedrine sales

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Pharmacists say even though a bill to require them to determine the legitimate need of a customer buying medicines containing pseudoephedrine might put them in a more dangerous situation — they generally support the idea. Pseudoephedrine is found in common cold and allergy medicines and is a key ingredient in methamphetamine. The bill comes after two efforts to require prescriptions for medicines containing pseudoephedrine failed in committees. The latest bill was sent to the full House on a 15-0 vote by the House Public Safety Committee. It does not yet appear on the House calendar for a possible vote. Oklahoma Pharmacists Association Executive Director Phil Woodward said pharmacists have made similar decisions in the past — such as when cough medicine containing codeine was sold over the counter. Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.