Mountain Press (01/09/12) Farrell, Jeff
Tennessee has implemented a state law that makes it more difficult to obtain ingredients for making methamphetamine, but the new rules are frustrating some pharmacists. Under the new laws, pharmacists must record purchases of pseudoephedrine-based drugs, often used as an ingredient for meth. Records must include the identity of customers purchasing the drug and the amount they are purchasing, using a computer system called the National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx). Customers cannot buy the drugs if they are on a meth offender registry or if they have reached limits of 3.6 grams in a day or 9 grams in a month. According to some pharmacists, the law may help, but it creates distractions during the day and interferes with time spent with customers. Some have suggested that a prescription be required for pseudoephedrine rather than allowing it to be sold over-the-counter. Other over-the-counter medications could treat the same symptoms, and smaller doses of the drugs could remain available without prescription.

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