Tue., April 12, 2011 12:31pm (EDT)

Bill Restricts Decongestant Drug Purchases
By Associated Press
Updated: 2 years ago

ATLANTA   —  
A bill passed by the House Tuesday would restrict the sale of the decongestant pseudoephedrine to only pharmacies in Georgia. (photo courtesy TheRogue/Gabe)
A bill passed by the House Tuesday would restrict the sale of the decongestant pseudoephedrine to only pharmacies in Georgia. (photo courtesy TheRogue/Gabe)
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.