Pseudoephedrine is a common ingredient in “over the counter” medicines used to combat nasal/sinus congestion. It’s also a sought-after chemical used in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine. As state law restricts the sale of pseudoephedrine-containing products – by limiting purchase quantities and requiring a minimum age with proper identification. A doctor in Wellington has been pushing for a stricter city ordinance that would require a prescription for such medications, and this Tuesday the residents of Wellington will vote on that proposal:
The Kansas Legislature passed the Sheriff Matt Samuels Chemical Control Act in 2005 requiring people who want to purchase products that contain pseudoephedrine to be at least 18-years-old, present photo identification, be limited to no more than 3.6 grams in a single transaction and no more than 9 grams in a 30 day period.
But a Wellington physician says the system is not working. Dr. Larry Anderson claims that it leads to smurfing, where people buy the pseudoephedrine and sell it to meth producers.
“It just makes no sense, to me, for the people who legitimately need pseudoephedrine, for us to put up with the danger and the risk and the tragedy and the expense, of not making it prescription,” said Dr. Anderson.
He is fighting to get pseudoephedrine legislation passed in Wellington and in Topeka. This spring, the city of Parsons unanimously approved the state’s first pseudoephedrine prescription law.
“A yes vote will just snowball, domino, from county to county, to city to city, to Topeka and I think it’ll get passed next year if we pass it,” said Dr. Anderson.
The Consumer Healthcare Products Association, which represents manufacturers and distributors of nonprescription medicines, is sending flyers persuading residents to vote no. One of their arguments is the cost of going to a doctor to get a prescription for colds and allergies.
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Wellington residents will vote during the special election on Tuesday at the Raymond Frye Complex.
Read the full story at KAKE News.