City Exempts Some Cold Meds From Law

By Pauline Masson

Pacific Editor

Pacific aldermen approved a law that exempts the need for a prescription to buy a specific type of medicine containing a pseudoephedrine formula that can’t be used to make meth.

The unanimous vote taken at the Dec. 4 board meeting noted a current ordinance requires a prescription to buy any cold or allergy medicines containing pseudoephedrine.

Independent laboratories have confirmed that a compound containing pseudoephedrine has been developed that can’t be converted to methamphetamine. It currently is being marketed as Zephrex-D.

The chief of police recommended an exemption for proven tamper resistant products sold in Pacific.

In order to sell the products without a prescription, a retailer or manufacturer would have to make a written application to the police chief certifying that the product could not be converted to methamphetamine.

The public will not need a prescription to purchase the medication. However, it will only be available through pharmacies.

The chief was granted authority to revoke the exemption if he determines, after consulting with other law enforcement officials, that a product being sold under the exemption is feasible for conversion to methamphetamine.