2 Companies Working On Anti-Meth Decongestants
In 2011, Vanderburgh county once again claimed the #1 spot for most meth labs in Indiana. Its a big problem for most of the Tri-state. But there could be relief on the way, thanks to changes in how the key ingredient in meth is made.
Pseudoephedrine is an ingredient found in a number of allergy meds, and is sought by meth cookers. However current law requires you to sign your name in to a registry when you make a purchase. Some legislation has been proposed to make it available only by prescription.
However lawmakers in Missouri heard from two separate pharmaceutical companies that are working on ways to to make Pseudoephedrine harder to obtain from their drugs. They are changing the way the chemical reacts to extraction techniques meth cookers use. Scientists who tested 'making meth' in the lab said the new method reduced Pseudoephedrine out put, or caused it to become black tar.
That makes the chemical unusable. However it has yet to be tried on humans, and there are doubts it can be as effective as current drugs containing Pseudoephedrine.
The companies that are presenting before lawmakers in Missouri, are hoping to have their new decongestants exempted from being available only by prescription.
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