Area pharmacists support efforts in requiring Rx for ephedrine products

Poplar Bluff Pharmacist Robin Robertson, below, and Kennett Pharmacist Brandon Michael, above, share their opinions on the proposed City of Kennett ordinance to make ephedrine drugs prescription only during the Kennett City Council meeting on Tuesday.

Staff photos by Joshua Payne

Following a lengthy discussion on Tuesday between the Kennett City Council, members of the Bootheel Drug Task Force, and area pharmacists, the council unanimously passed an ordinance requiring prescriptions for the purchase of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine.

Brandon Michael, a Kennett Pharmacist said that he realized the council probably had limited dealings with the aspect of the community that abuses the drugs.

He added that the current systems runs into situations where people buy for other people, and buy at different places.

"Methamphetamine, as a whole, is a problem in the area," Michael said. "The government has done what it can, from a federal stand point, to limit pseudoephedrine."

He explained that, with the current system, the limitation seems to fall on individuals needing the drug for its intended purposes rather than the individuals abusing the drug.

"We are falling short in monitoring this because the people who are abusing the drug are still finding ways to attain it," Michael said.

He added that the individuals in need of the medicine were the ones being judged, in some cases.

If an individual walks up to a pharmacist's counter and asks for a medicine with pseudoephedrine, depending on how the individual looks or feels, they may receive a second look because of their purchase, according to Michael.

"I think moving to a prescription only will allow for the people who really need the medicine to be able to acquire it," Michael said. I have talked to several individuals, who purchase over the counter now, and they don't seem to have a problem with stronger laws being set into place. Their concern is the safety of the community."

Robin Robertson of Poplar Bluff, Mo., pharmacist and President of The Southeast Missouri Pharmacist Association, explained to the city council that he had been working approximately three months as a pharmacist in Poplar Bluff.

"In that short time, I have not been able to believe the amount of people coming in to get this stuff," Robertson said. "I am here to state to you that most of these people are unsavory people and it puts a burden on the pharmacist."

He added that in 1981, while working in Florida, two gentleman came into his pharmacy and almost killed him over narcotics.

"I am afraid that this is going to lead to this sort of problem, which could be the burden the pharmacists [acquire]," Robertson said.

He explained that he was asking the council to please take the information into consideration and vote yes to make the drug a prescription only.

"I can tell you since the ordinance passed in Poplar Bluff, three weeks ago, we have had no problem at all," Robertson said. "The majority of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine we were selling were to people abusing."

Kennett Police Chief Barry Tate explained that he was "very much in favor" of the ordinance.

He added that he believed it would be good for the city and officers, especially the Drug Task Force members.

"Some of [the Drug Task Force members] are present at the council meeting and, by being here tonight, it shows their support for this," Tate said.

Tate noted that smaller Drug Task Force agencies do not usually receive awards or recognition.

"They work harder than anyone I know and I wouldn't trade them for nobody," Tate said. "I would just like to help them out."

He added that the passing of the ordinance would show the city's support of the agency, in his opinion.

Tate also explained that several other towns were watching to see what the city was going to do with the ordinance.

"Let us set the example," Tate said.

Alderman Jake Crafton asked the members of the Drug Task Force if they believed the ordinance would hinder drug making in the community.

The officials explained that the ordinance would hinder the manufacturing of Methamphetamine and that it was "the initials step to do something in a positive light."

Crafton noted that he did not have a personal physician and that he only visited a doctor in emergency type circumstances.

"I can't call a doctor and say, 'I want some Claritin D,'" Crafton said.

He added that anhydrous was eliminated but the drug problem continued.

"My thinking is the material is not the problem but the problem is in the punishment end of it," Crafton said. "If the demand is there, people will get the drug."

He explained that he believed the ordinance, in his opinion, would not do any good in terms of hindering or stopping the abuse in town, and would only be worse for citizens who want to use the drug properly.

Officials noted that the majority of the individuals purchasing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine were misusing the drug.

They also explained that, when anhydrous was stopped, the drug manufacturers found a substitute.

The officials added that there was no substitute for ephedrine or pseudoephedrine because it is the key ingredient in Methamphetamine.

Mayor Roger Wheeler, Sr., noted that he believed that some state legislation will be considered this year and passing the ordinance in the city will give the state level support.

Wheeler said that the city is currently contacting pharmacists to explain the ordinance and that the law would probably go into full effect by the first of the month.