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| Online database keeps
meth makers from pharmacy hopping FORT SMITH - Arkansas is going after meth makers by cutting their supply of pseudoephedrine even more than before. |
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| 5NEWS looks at what this means for
illegal drug manufacturers and how it could affect you. There was a loophole in the law meant to keep drug users from buying the main ingredient used to make meth. But now, that problem has been solved with a new online database that keeps both pharmacists and authorities in the loop. Here's how it works and what it could mean for you: "We used to see store hoppers," Medisav pharmacist Keith Larkin told 5NEWS. A 2005 law meant those purchasing pseudoephedrine had to sign for it, but meth makers soon realized the information wasn't being shared among pharmacies or authorities. "It made [for] lots of man hours," Larkin explained. "The police had to come in. They had access to the log and look and how it was signed you know it would be hard to determine and stuff. Now, we just take your drivers license and we scan it." It's a new online database called LeadsOnlabs that went into effect a month and a half ago. All pseudoephedrine purchases are now logged electronically. "They had wonderful results in Oklahoma," Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniels told the Greenwood Rotary Club. "I expect for us to see a drastic decrease in the opportunity for people to go from pharmacy to pharmacy to pharmacy." |
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 Online database stops meth makers in their tracks |
McDaniels says Arkansas is leading the way and
other attorneys general are calling his office asking how to do the same
in their states. If someone tries to buy more than 3 grams in 24 hours
or 9 grams in a month, the pharmacist and police are alerted. "That officer is gonna get an email every time somebody in Sebastian County is attempting to buy more than their fair share of pseudoephedrine that officer is going to have more to do than he can say grace over," McDaniels told 5NEWS. Pharmacist Keith Larkin agrees with the AG that the loop hole is a lot smaller than it once was. |
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"I mean what we have today is a home run," Larkin said. Larkin points out that we are in allergy alley and some people need a 30 day supply. He says you can get a prescription from your physician if that is the case. Rather than purchase products with pseudoephedrine, you can buy over the counter meds with phenylephrine instead. They basically work the same way. *** For more information on LeadsOnlabs, visit www.leadsonlabs.com or call 888.994.7771 |
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