The Missouri House has narrowly endorsed legislation requiring prescriptions for some cold and allergy medicines containing a key ingredient in the illegal drug methamphetamine.
The bill that advanced Tuesday would require a doctor's prescription for hard tablets containing pseudoephedrine. But, liquids and gel-caps containing the substance could still be purchased without one.
House members gave the bill first-round approval on an 80-71 vote. It would need a minimum of 82 "yes" votes on final House action to move to the Senate.
In March, a Missouri house committee heard testimony Wednesday on why a prescription law could be the final answer to the problem of methamphetamine.
Years ago, lawmakers ordered pseudoephedrine cold medications behind the retail counter, then behind the pharmacy counter. Next came restrictions on the amount purchased, and records of the buyer.
This year is the first in Missouri for an electronic data tracking system the sale of pseudoephedrine products.
Both Mississippi and Oregon have prescription laws and claim meth production has fallen dramatically.
Still, the pharmaceutical industry warns of a backlash from legitimate consumers, and some legislative critics said requiring a prescription ultimately will punish only low-income people with nasal congestion.
The pseudoephedrine bill is HB 658.
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