Number: RL33385
Title: The Legal Regulation of Sales of Over-the-Counter Cold and Allergy Medication
Authors: Jody Feder, American Law Division 
Abstract: In response to a growing problem with illegal methamphetamine production and abuse, both the federal and state governments have recently taken steps to strengthen their regulation of the sale of over-the-counter cold medications that contain methamphetamine precursor chemicals such as ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine. At the federal level, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is the primary agency that regulates the restrictions that are imposed on the sale of such drug products under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Until recently, states had taken the lead with respect to strengthening such sales restrictions, but the 109th Congress recently enacted more stringent requirements with respect to methamphetamine - or "meth" - precursor chemicals as part of the reauthorization of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act (P.L. 109-177).
Pages: 7
Date: April 21, 2006