Senate panel takes up bill to curb Indiana meth production

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – An Indiana Senate committee is considering a bill that would require drug offenders to obtain a prescription before purchasing a common cold and allergy medicine.

Corrections and Criminal Law Committee members discussed a proposal Tuesday that would require courts to report anyone with a felony drug conviction to an electronic system. Those on the list would need prescriptions to purchase pseudoephedrine, which is a key ingredient in the meth-making process.

The measure is a less restrictive version of similar legislation that would make pseudoephedrine a prescription-only drug for all consumers. Supporters say the bill targets criminals already misusing drugs.

Opponents argued the requirement would burden primary care doctors during the busy cold and flu season and that someone without a drug-conviction could be mistakenly added to the list.