Kessler, Edgell Back Cold Medicine Bill

At least two local senators will support a bill before the West Virginia Legislature requiring prescriptions for most popular cold medicines.

Acting Senate President Jeff Kessler, D-Marshall, and Sen. Larry Edgell, D-Wetzel, said they are leaning toward a "yes" vote on the measure. Sens. Orphy Klempa, D-Ohio, and Jack Yost, D-Brooke, could not be reached for comment Monday.

House Bill 2946 was debated in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday. It requires a lawful prescription for dispensing drug products containing as an active ingredient ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine and other chemical precursors of methamphetamine - ingredients found in many popular cold and allergy medications.

The bill is intended to curb the use of ephedrine products in the production of the illegal drug crystal meth.

"I am extremely impressed by the success it has had in Oregon and in other states with meth problems," Kessler said.

He cited that before similar legislation was passed in Oregon, that state had 473 meth lab busts in 2003. That number has now decreased to a low of 13 in 2010, according to Kessler.

He also noted 44 meth labs were raided by police in the Charleston area last month.

"Over the course of the year, that amounts to a crisis of epidemic proportion," Kessler said.

Kessler also pointed out that not all cold and allergy medications would be subject to the law, and that consumers still could choose from about 150 other medications that would remain on the shelves.

The legislation also would permit physicians' assistants and nurses to call in prescriptions for newly regulated medications, eliminating the need for and cost of a doctor's visit.

"It's not too much to ask," Kessler said of taking the medications off the shelf. "An array of 150 drugs would be available. And if you would need something stronger, you can call the doctor's office to call it in for you. This bill won't deny access to the drugs but would deny excess to those walking out of stores with large quantities."

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