Tulsa, OK- As of this week, a birth date will be required to purchase pseudoephedrine, in addition to a full name and a state-issued identification number.
This is just one of the ways the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics is trying to curb the illicit use of the drug, which is a key ingredient in methamphetamine.
In 2006, Oklahoma was the first state to begin tracking pseudoephedrine sales electronically in "real time." Another new feature to the tracking system is an upgrade this fall which allows access to the system by all of Oklahoma's law enforcement community.
"The pseudoephedrine is not so readily available," said pharmacist D.J. Lees, who knows when someone's really sick. "The other patients that are possibly coming in to buy the pseudoephedrine to make illicit drugs.. it's easy to identify those patients as well."
The state of Oklahoma is trying to make it even easier for pharmacists like Lees to stop someone in their tracks, who might be buying cold meds to make meth.
"Prior to 2006, anyone could just walk in off the street and say, 'Hey, give me this pseudoephedrine' and no questions were generally asked," she said.
State law now requires anyone buying products containing pseudoephedrine to provide the pharmacist with either a driver's license or state-issued photo ID.
Lees hopes this newest requirement that went into effect November 1, will help pharmacists help law enforcement.
He says judging on past experience with the '06 laws, it should.
"Since then, we've seen a big reduction in people coming in to buy the case, that doesn't really happen anymore."
