With a set of bills signed into law on July 15, Gov. Rick Snyder hopes to combat the production of methamphetamine — a stimulant drug known for its abuse throughout the nation.
One bill, sponsored by state Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, will require the electronic tracking of products containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, ingredients found in over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines — such as Sudafed and Advil Cold & Sinus — that are used in the manufacturing of meth. Purchasers of these products will be required to provide pharmacists with their IDs and have their names entered into a law enforcement database.
State Rep. Amanda Price, R-Park Township, sponsored two other bills signed by the governor. These bills will increase the fines from $50 to $500 for pharmacies not recording customers’ products that contain ephedrine or pseudoephedrine or those selling the products to anyone under the age of 18.
They also ensure Michigan law limiting the amount of the products purchased mirrors the federal restriction of no more than 3.6 grams of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine in a single day or 9 grams within 30 days.
Because of the widespread abuse of meth, Price said there have been some who have suggested making products containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine available by prescription only. But being an allergy sufferer herself and having children who have suffered these symptoms, Price said she knows the importance of being able to access this medication.
“This (legislation) seemed like the next step to curb the production of meth but still make those cold products available to customers when they need it,” she said.
These bills modify legislation currently in place, said Polly Cove, a pharmacist at Knight Drugs, 1540 Lake Lansing Road, in Lansing.
Pharmacies now are required to record the purchase of these ingredients in a physical log book, but Cove said because the information in these books isn’t stored in a database, residents are able to buy more than the legal daily or monthly limit.
Pharmacies have no way of knowing if a customer previously bought such products at another store. Buyers can purchase medicine at one pharmacy and then simply travel down the road to other pharmacies to purchase more.
“(Pharmacies) are now going to all be tapped into each other,” Cove said. “(The computer system) is automatically going to bring you up and see if you’re eligible to purchase (the medication).”
Price said the electronic tracking system will require the installation of software in pharmacy computers — but at no cost to the pharmacy.
Though there is no expense that could harm Michigan pharmacies required by the legislation, Cove said the process of recording each ephedrine and pseudoephedrine purchase will take time.
“There is some time involved,” she said. “We do run a business, and that’s not good, having to take extra time.”
State Rep. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, who voted against the bills, said although this legislation likely will mean a minor additional cost and inconvenience that will not bother the average Michigan customer, it also will not bother those who manufacture meth.
“(Drug dealers) will find a way to get around this regulation — they always do,” Irwin said. “As long as there is a demand, we will have a problem with people abusing a drug that is dangerous and extremely toxic and extremely addictive.”
The only way to solve the problem of meth use is to quell people’s urge to buy it, Irwin said.
“When (Snyder) cut universities’ funding by 15 percent — that is going to do more to propel drug use in the state of Michigan than this bill is going to do to curtail it,” he said. “When people have access to education and arts and recreation and high quality of life, they’re not going to turn to meth.”
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