ST. CHARLES, Mo. (AP) - Residents in one of Missouri's largest counties will soon need a prescription to purchase cold and allergy pills containing pseudoephedrine.
The St. Charles County Council voted unanimously Monday to require the prescription in a move aimed at fighting methamphetamine. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that 56 pharmacies in municipalities and unincorporated areas of the county will be affected by the law that takes effect one month after County Executive Steve Ehlmann signs the measure.
St. Charles County becomes the state's largest county with a prescription law. Missouri has long been among the states hardest hit by meth. After many years as the No. 1 state for meth lab busts, Missouri fell to No. 2 behind Tennessee in 2010.
Opponents say the law penalizes law-abiding citizens.
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Information from: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, http://www.stltoday.com