Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed legislation Tuesday that will make Oregon the first state to require prescriptions for everyday cold and allergy medications that can be converted into methamphetamine. The requirement applies to any medication containing pseudoephedrine, the key ingredient in making meth.Oregon and several other states already require consumers to show identification and sign a log when obtaining over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines such as Sudafed and Claritin D from pharmacies, and Congress is moving toward similar restrictions.Maine Gov. John Baldacci in June signed legislation placing several restrictions on over-the-counter decongestant cold medicines that can be used to make methamphetamine. Maine’s law does not require prescriptions for the sale of the cold remedies. It authorizes but does not require pharmacies to request identification and log sales of those products.Oregon’s governor said he was aware that the law might cause inconvenience for allergy and cold sufferers but said pharmaceutical companies already are producing replacement medications that don’t contain pseudoephedrine and can’t be converted to meth.The bill sailed though both houses of the Legislature, opposed by only a handful of lawmakers who cited the inconvenience for their constituents.The state Board of Pharmacy has until next July to implement the prescription requirement, but board executive director Gary Schnabel said it could be in place within three months.
