Pharmacy Techs! Have you guys ever wonder why we ask patients for a state ID or driver's license when purchasing Claritin, Sudafed and other nasal decongestants, antacids, cold symptom relievers, and allergy medications on the shelf behind you (your pharmacy over the counter shelf) which drug and patient information is written in a logbook. Well this matter was made into a law passed by congress signed by President George Bush. That any over the counter drugs that have pseudoephedrine should be required to show photo identification and sign in logbook also quantity limitations are required when purchasing these medications.  * Here is some helpful information provided by the FDA and pdf file.

FDA: On March 9, 2006, The Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 (Title VII of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005, P.L. 109-177), was signed into law. Congress passed this law in an effort to reduce the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine.  The law requires, among other things, that all sellers of pseudoephedrine self certify, confirming that:  (1) employees have been trained; (2) records of the training are being maintained; (3) sales limits are being enforced; (4) products are being stored appropriately; and (5) a written or electronic logbook is being maintained.  Specifically, the law requires that these retailers must place pseudoephedrine products where customers do not have direct access to such products before a sale is made.  Although the law uses the term “behind the counter” to describe product placement by the retailer, FDA defines pseudoephedrine as an OTC drug in accordance with the monograph and FDA regulations.  An OTC drug is a drug whose use does not require oversight by a health care professional.

NOTE:Pseudoephedrine is used to relieve nasal congestion caused by colds, allergies, and hay fever. It is also used to temporarily relieve sinus congestion and pressure. Pseudoephedrine will relieve symptoms but will not treat the cause of the symptoms or speed recovery. Pseudoephedrine is in a class of medications called nasal decongestants. It works by causing narrowing of the blood vessels in the nasal passages.

Purpose for the law: Pseudoephedrine and ephedrine can be illegally use to make methamphetamine (a highly addictive drug).


**There are certain required doses that a patient should take in one day. Overdosing can cause many serious side effects such as seizures, difficult breathing, irregular heartbeat, etc.  For more information please visit these links below

http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Testimony/ucm208425.htm


http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/meth/trg_retail_081106.pdf  (includes detail dosing chart)