Drug Chains Urge National OTC Drug Rules

A flurry of new and conflicting stateand local laws regulating the sale ofOTC cold products containing pseudoephedrineis creating complianceproblems for drug chains operating inmultiple jurisdictions.

Chain drugstore leaders urged Congressto adopt a national standard forthe sale of OTC cold drugs. They warnedthat a "patchwork" system of differingstate and local restrictions on the sale ofthese drugs will actually play into thehands of criminals seeking source materialfor illegal methamphetamine.

Mr. Rankin is a freelance medical writer.