Missouri House bill would require prescriptions for pseudoephedrine statewide

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- With Missouri again atop the list of meth-lab seizures in the U.S., lawmakers have proposed a bill that they think will help the state do away with that dubious distinction -- requiring a doctor's prescription for products containing pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in the manufacture of the illegal and highly addictive drug.

The Meth Lab Elimination Act was introduced into the Missouri House last week by Rep. Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, and co-sponsored by several Southeast Missouri legislators, including Rep. Wayne Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau; Rep. Donna Lichtenegger, R-Jackson; and Rep. Steve Hodges, D-East Prairie.

While a similar bill was soundly defeated in the House last year, the issue has gained momentum over the past 12 months with communities across the state passing similar ordinances at the local level, including Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City. This year's bill also has 60 co-sponsors, only 20 short of the number required to pass the measure and send it to the Senate.

Schatz hasn't always favored requiring prescriptions for the popular cold medicines that contain pseudoephedrine, which include Sudafed, Claritin-D and Advil Cold & Sinus.

"Originally, I wasn't beating the drum," Schatz said. "I do use Sudafed and I recognize it's an inconvenience to go see a doctor for it. But when you see the numbers and realize how bad things have gotten in Missouri, the inconvenience to me seems to be a small price to pay."

Schatz represents Franklin County, one of the worst counties in the state for meth-lab busts. He hopes his bill will make it harder for meth-makers to get their hands on the medicine. That's happened in the other two states -- Oregon and Mississippi -- that have made prescriptions for the pills the law, he said. Oregon reported that meth lab busts dropped from 190 in 2005 to 12 in 2009.

But opponents, which include pharmaceutical companies and some physicians, argue that the new electronic tracking system in Missouri hasn't been given a chance to work. Requiring a prescription for products that treat colds, flu and allergies unnecessarily increases overall health care costs for customers, governments and private employers.

House Speaker Steve Tilley, R-Perryville, isn't convinced opponents aren't right. But he recently watched his hometown pass an ordinance requiring prescriptions and he said Monday he is reconsidering the issue.

"My own police chief has been against it," Tilley said. "But his opinion has evolved. I'm opposed to making law-abiding citizens go to a doctor when they don't have to. In my mind, I'm just trying to see if there's some middle ground. But asking somebody to go to the doctor and pay $70 or $80 for a doctor visit, that's a concern."

Tilley isn't sure how he'd vote if the question were called today, but he says he has to represent his constituents and the fact that Missouri ranks number one for meth-lab seizures will weigh into his decision, too.

Legislators from Cape Girardeau and Jackson aren't as conflicted, however.

Wallingford, originally against the measure, changed his mind in recent months. He doesn't think the electronic monitoring system is succeeding, pointing to one statistic that claims the number of meth-lab seizures has actually increased 10 percent since the program was implemented last year.

"We have to find something that works," Wallingford said. "The benefits of this bill far outweigh any disadvantages."

Lichtenegger agreed, calling the bill an unfortunate necessity.

"We are the number one state in the nation on this meth problem," she said. "It's always a shame when you have to create a bill that really will be stopping such a few people. But it's good for the many and that's what we have to look at."

smoyers@semissourian.com

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