New Combat Meth Law Limits Consumer Purchases Of Common Allergy, Cold and Cough Medicines

What: The recently enacted federal Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act limits consumer purchases of common allergy, cold and cough medicines containing pseudoephedrine, ephedrine and phenylpropanolamine. The restrictions apply to all forms of these products, including pediatric, gel-cap, liquid and multi-ingredient.

When: The purchase limits take effect April 8, 2006.

Why: Pseudoephedrine, ephedrine and phenylpropanolamine are key ingredients that can be used illegally to produce meth, a highly addictive drug that is increasingly abused. The law is designed to prevent abusers from buying the large quantities of these medicines needed to cook small amounts of meth.

How Much Consumers Can Purchase

• The purchase limits are based on how much of these ingredients the products contain.

• At pharmacies and retail stores: 3.6 grams per day and 9 grams per 30 days — equal to 36 pills with 120 milligrams of the ingredients per day and 75 per 30 days.

• Through mail order and over the Internet: 7.5 grams per 30 days — equal to 62 pills with 120 milligrams of the ingredients per 30 days.

Detailed information on translating the purchase limits into pills and liquid forms of these products is available at the end of a document issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration, posted at cma2005_general_info.pdf.

Sales Restrictions Will Vary From State to State

• The federal law does not require uniform national restrictions for all states.

• In some of the states that already enacted purchase limits, consumers must continue to follow those laws.

Additional Controls Take Effect September 30, 2006

• These medicines must be moved behind counters or in locked display cases. Some retailers will put them behind customer courtesy counters. Others — as already mandated by state laws — will continue to sell the products from behind pharmacy counters.

• Purchasers will be required to show a photo ID and sign a paper or electronic log.

Contact: Bill Greer, 202-220-0667, wgreer@fmi.org