NASHVILLE (AP) - A state law requiring electronic tracking of pseudoephedrine purchases does not appear to have had much effect on the production of methamphetamine in Tennessee.
Beginning in January 2012, pharmacists were required to track sales of the over-the-counter drugs used to produce meth. Pseudoephedrine is the main drug but there are others. Collectively they are known as pharmacy precursors.
According to the Comptroller's Offices of Research and Education Accountability, the number of meth lab seizures actually increased in 2012 over 2011.The total number of seizures for 2013 is not yet available, but they have remained high.
The news comes as some municipalities are taking it upon themselves to try to stop precursor sales by passing local ordinances that require patients to obtain prescriptions for drugs like Sudafed.