Cass County passes anti-meth cold medicine rules to fight meth manufacturing

The Cass County Commissioners passed an ordinance Monday, May 2, permitting pharmacists to "make a professional determination as to whether or not there is a legitimate need" for products containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine — substances common in certain cold medicines and key ingredients in meth.

That determination can be based on factors like a consumer's prior medication purchasing history, the ordinance continues. It does not apply to consumers who have a prescription for products with ephedrine and pseudoephedrine.

There are already regulations limiting how much of a product containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine an individual can buy within a certain period of time. However, meth cooks get around those rules by enlisting others to purchase the products for them.

Cass County officials say the latest ordinance takes that advantage away from meth manufacturers.

"We felt like here in Cass County, it would help law enforcement if we put some rules on the [pseudoephedrine]," Cass County Commissioners President Jim Sailors said during Monday's meeting.

Cass County Sheriff Randy Pryor agreed.

"Let's face it, pharmacists issue the prescription drugs and see individuals every day that require those types of drugs, so I think it's a good thing," he said in an interview.

Law enforcement officers seized 30 meth labs in Cass County in 2015, according to data provided by Indiana State Police.

Community Pharmacy in Logansport Memorial Hospital has been denying cold medicines with pseudoephedrine and ephedrine to those believed not to need them for more than two years, according to Karrie Knebel, a registered pharmacist with the dispensary.

The policy came about after an incident in which multiple people came in to buy cold medicines whom staff members were unfamiliar with and didn't appear to be suffering from cold symptoms, Knebel said.

Ever since then, when selling products containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine to those they don't know or with no history with the pharmacy, Knebel said she and her colleagues make a judgement call as to whether or not to sell them the product.

There have been multiple refusals since then, Knebel said. Refusals have yet to result in a negative reaction from an affected customer, she continued, adding they generally just walk away.

For customers pharmacy employees don't know but whose symptoms appear genuine, Knebel said employees will often recommend abuse-deterrent cold medicines, which contain ephedrine and pseudoephedrine but are created in a way that makes them difficult to use to make meth.

Word seems to have gotten around, too. Since implementing the refusal policy, Knebel said she's noticed a decrease in customers believed to be seeking the cold medicines for illegitimate purposes.

Jim Sailors said the rules were inspired by similar ones Fulton County recently passed.

Harry Webb, owner of Rochester-based Webb's Family Pharmacy, joined a committee last year along with lawmakers, businesspeople, law enforcement and educators to develop the rules that they based off of similar ones enforced in Arkansas.

Fulton County Sheriff Chris Sailors, who was also a part of that committee, said those rules have had a positive effect ever since they were implemented in June 2015. Between then and November, law enforcement seized five meth labs in Fulton County, he said. Law enforcement seized 32 labs in 2013 and 27 in 2014, he continued, adding three or four have been seized so far this year.

The Indiana General Assembly passed a state law during its last session allowing pharmacies to limit the sale of cold medicines with pseudoephedrine to unfamiliar customers who don't have prescriptions.

Indiana Sen. Randy Head, R-Logansport, authored the bill.

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence attended a ceremonial signing of the bill at Webb's Family Pharmacy last week.