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Who Monitors the Purchasing of Cold Medicine?

The Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 (CMEA) was enacted in an attempt to prohibit the manufacturing of the illegal drug, methamphetamine. Under this law, sales of certain cold medicines and other over-the-counter products are highly regulated.

  1. Identification

    • The CMEA requires that regulated sellers keep logbooks detailing daily sales limits, 30-day purchase limits and verification of proof of identity for any customer purchasing products containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine. As of 2010, the sales limit for products containing these ingredients ranges between 3.6 to 7.5 grams per purchaser. Limits vary by type of vendor.

    Electronic Recordkeeping

    • Many states have begun implementing mandatory electronic tracking systems to help ensure vendors are in compliance with anti-meth laws. As of 2010,10 states have contracted with Appriss, a company that provides a cold medicine tracking database known as the National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx).

    Warning

    • Penalties for CMEA violations vary by state. However, retailers and consumers who violate anti-meth laws are typically subject to hefty civil and criminal fines and penalties.

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