Consumer FAQsMethamphetamine Act/Pseudoephedrine Products
Q: Why can’t I find pseudoephedrine products on the shelf of my pharmacy? A: In 2005, the North Carolina General Assembly passed the Methamphetamine Lab Prevention Act. In 2006 Congress passed the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act. Both statutes require that many pseudoephedrine-containing products be stored and sold from behind the pharmacy counter. You may still purchase these products, but you are limited in the amount you can purchase, and you must sign a logbook with each purchase. More information, including quantity purchasing limits, may be found here: https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/meth/cma2005.htm.
Q: Are all pseudoephedrine-containing products only sold from behind the counter? A: Both statutes require that all tablet or caplet pseudoephedrine products be sold from behind the counter. The federal statute also requires that gel capsule pseudoephedrine products be sold from behind the counter. Liquid pseudoephedrine products may be sold from the pharmacy’s shelves.
Q: Why must I sign a logbook when I purchase pseudoephedrine products, and what happens to my information in the logbook? A: Both statutes require a purchaser of pseudoephedrine tablets or caplets to sign a logbook and provide a name and address. These logbooks must be kept by the pharmacy for two years. The logbooks are not public records and information in them may only be disclosed to law enforcement personnel.
Q: Why can’t my child purchase pseudoephedrine products? A: The North Carolina statute provides that pseudoephedrine tablets and caplets may be sold at retail only to a person at least 18 years of age.
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