Mo. House passes pseudoephedrine prescription requirement

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri House members have passed legislation that aims to crack down on methamphetamine by requiring prescriptions for some cold and allergy remedies containing pseudoephedrine. The decongestant is a key ingredient in meth.

The prescription requirement would apply to solid tablets that contain the substance. Liquids and gel-caps could still be purchased without a prescription.

Missouri already requires pharmacies to keep pseudoephedrine remedies behind their counters and limits the amount customers can buy at one time. The state recently implemented an industry-funded electronic database to track purchases in real time.

The bill cleared the House on a vote of 86-64 Monday and went to the Senate. The legislative sessions ends Friday evening.

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Pseudoephedrine is HB 658.

Online:

Legislature: http://moga.mo.gov