Community Pharmacies of Indiana (CPI) this week voiced its support of a bill aimed at giving pharmacists increased authority in an effort to tackle the ongoing meth epidemic in the state.
The nonprofit organization represents more than 165 independently-owned pharmacies throughout Indiana.
Senate Bill 80, or the Pharmacist Legitimization Bill, would allow pharmacists the ability to deny the sale of cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine (PSE), a chemical used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine. Based on consultations with customers interested in buying PSE products, pharmacists would be given the legal authority to prevent suspicious customers from purchasing them. Pharmacists could recommend other products that are just as effective but don't contain PSE.
The bill does not apply to cold medicines sold in front of the counter.
"The Pharmacist Legitimization Bill represents common-sense legislation that balances efforts to help curtail the proliferation of meth labs throughout our state while also preserving the customer's ease-of-access to effective cold medicines for legitimate use without the burden of obtaining a prescription every time they have a head-cold," CPI Board President Ben Rachwal said. "Any independent pharmacy owner will agree that pharmacists are often the frontline of defense against suspicious medication purchases, Senate Bill 80 enables us to effectively exercise that responsibility without needlessly burdening our customers."
The proposed bill is being sponsored by State Senators Randy Head (R-Logansport) and Jim Merritt (R-Indianapolis).
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