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Bill to restrict pseudoephedrine up for vote Tuesday

By April Hunt
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

11:55 a.m. Monday, April 11, 2011
Pseudoephedrine, a decongestant that’s a key ingredient in methamphetamine, would be available only in pharmacies in the state under legislation being considered Tuesday in the Georgia House.

Senate Bill 93 would reclassify several drugs, most notably making pseudoephedrine a Schedule 5 exempt drug. That would remove sales of the medicine, found in Sudafed and other decongestants, from convenience stores but stop short of requiring a prescription.

If the House approves the bill, it heads to the governor for his signature.

Lawmakers hope restricting the sale will help battle the surge of methamphetamine production in Georgia. A similar law in Oklahoma worked briefly, before makers of meth learned ways to circumvent the law.

PSE Scheduling Legislation Added to House Bill
During Senate debate on legislation banning narcotic bath salts, Sen. Buddy Carter (R-Pooler) made an amendment to the legislation that added the annual drug update bill. Part of Sen. Carter’s amendment would make pseudoephedrine (PSE) a Schedule V exempt narcotic, which means these products would be available in pharmacies only. The GFIA worked with Sen. Carter to clarify language that would not require retailers with pharmacies selling PSE to be subject to any additional record keeping requirements. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 50-1 and will now go back to the House for approval since the Senate amended the legislation.