By Illinois Public Radio
Springfield, Ill. – The pharmacy counter might be the only place consumers can buy cold medicine under a proposal before the Illinois legislature.
Under the plan, the only people who would be allowed to sell medicines containing pseudophedrine, one of the main ingredients in methamphetamine, would be pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
The measure would require potential consumers to show a photo ID and sign their names when they purchase the medicine.
Rob Karr of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association says this is the wrong way to target meth use.
"Meth is a community problem that requires a community response. We hear that it's not a big deal to limit them to nine grams in thirty days," Karr said.
"I'm a father of a family of six. Five of the six have allergies of various severity. We go through nine grams a lot faster than 30 days. I'm going to be on every list in the state."
Karr also says the stricter regulations aren't necessary quite yet.
Laws restricting the sale and display of such products went into effect this year and he says more time is needed to see how those work before more changes are made.