Cutting Criminals’Access to Meth’s Key Ingredient

The regulation of nonprescription cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine has made it more difficult to manufacture meth.

North Carolina was among the first states to regulate these medications. The federal government has also moved to control access to cold medications containing pseudoephedrine.

These regulated medications must be placed behind the pharmacy counter. They cannot be placed on open shelves.

Customers can purchase limited amounts of the medications. In North Carolina, the limit is two boxes of restricted cold medications per customer per day, with a limit of three boxes per customer per month. Customers who wish to purchase these items must sign a logbook and present photo ID.

Retailers who sell these products must be certified.