A bill passed by the House Tuesday would restrict the sale of the decongestant pseudoephedrine to only pharmacies in Georgia. The decongestant is a key ingredient in the illegal drug methamphetamine -- the use of which has become a growing problem in the state.

The bill now goes to Governor Deal’s desk for his signature.

The bill reclassifies pseudoephedrine as a Schedule 5 exempt drug. Cold medicines that contain it would still be available for sale without a prescription, but only in pharmacies.

The change was part of an update to controlled substance classifications in Georgia.

Tags: Georgia, lawmakers, methamphetamine, drugs, General Assembly, Governor Nathan Deal, pseudoephedrine