I'm not talking about on individuals, although that is ridiculous. I'm referring to the limits ON PHARMACIES. According to a DEA reg based on a 2019 law, pharmacies are required to estimate their usage for a year in advance, and they are "issued" a monthly supply based on that "ration." Locally, we've had a bit of a flu epidemic, bad enough for widespread closing of school. My local pharmacy is not allowed to order any until after the 22nd.

There are a number of prescriptions incorporating this drug, most for flu and upper respiratory infections.

Governmental control to solve complex problems such as drug addiction. I am sure this will put a huge dent in the meth problem.

It certainly put a huge dent in the meth cooking problem.

Back in the mid-2000s, we had meth labs all over the place. Lots of ruined houses/apartments/hotel rooms. Lots of fire. Etc.

The pseudoephedrine restrictions cut that down to basically nothing. The quantities are so limited nowadays that folks can't get enough to cook in large quantities, so either occasionally make small batches for personal use, or most just don't cook at all.

However, there are no such restrictions overseas. So there's still just as much, if not more, meth out there. The difference is that it's produced overseas in industrial-level quantities in huge labs in places like Mexico and SE Asia, and then smuggled into the country, just like cocaine, heroin, etc.


So it didn't solve the meth problem, but it did put a big dent in the meth lab problem specifically, by shifting production out of the country.

Screw the meth heads, they'll find a way to kill themselves anyway. I can almost understand individual purchase limits. But to limit a pharmacy, taking no account for epidemics? I guess fewer people will die from the flu that home made dope, so it's cool.

Fuck junkies. They can die. I don’t give a fuck about them when the government interferes with my access to the medications I need.

Rogue is right about labs. We were a HUGE lab state for years. We had a state pseudo law pass probably 15 years ago that killed the lab problem except for border counties immediately. Yes, there was still meth, but we didn't have dump sites to clean up and rampant theft of pseudo and people stealing anhydrous and on and on and on. Displacement.

The various state and federal pseudo laws have effectively shifted the type of meth in wide use from clan lab dirty redneck stuff to almost entirely crystal. I cannot remember the last time I heard of a clan lab in my area and we used to have them constantly. I haven't heard of a one-pot in probably 5 or 6 years.

There's still meth and there are still meth users, but a lot of the related problems are gone. And I know the argument about just enforcing the drug laws harder - we did, and we sent a ton of people to prison for long periods of time (you can get 25 years for 5 grams in this state, and 30 years for 10).

I'd be much appreciative if you can direct me to the DEA Regulation you stated. My google fu did not bring up anything.

quote:

Originally posted by Fredward:
I'm not talking about on individuals, although that is ridiculous. I'm referring to the limits ON PHARMACIES. According to a DEA reg based on a 2019 law, pharmacies are required to estimate their usage for a year in advance, and they are "issued" a monthly supply based on that "ration." Locally, we've had a bit of a flu epidemic, bad enough for widespread closing of school. My local pharmacy is not allowed to order any until after the 22nd.

There are a number of prescriptions incorporating this drug, most for flu and upper respiratory infections.

What medication are you talking about??
SAMBUCOL at Walmart or Costco is good for the flu.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
Governmental control to solve complex problems such as drug addiction. I am sure this will put a huge dent in the meth problem.

Just like the !#$%!!! packaging of medication containing PE. They're a stone bitch to get open, but probably slow PE abusers down hardly one whit.

Here ya go, AZSigs. Straight out of the Federal Register.


https://www.deadiversion.usdoj...otas/2018/fr1228.htm

If it doesn't work, shoot me an email and I'll copy it for you.

quote:

Originally posted by PD:
Fuck junkies. They can die. I don’t give a fuck about them when the government interferes with my access to the medications I need.

this

This isn’t about the junkies to me, it’s about the side effects of local production to me and the general public.
I hardly ever need this product and would much rather go through the few restrictions when I do than deal with the effects it has on the public at large.
I don’t care for more laws and other government intervention but this has been a successful law to me.
Another one is the laws concerning documentation for scrap metal dealers. My wife is a realtor and these lowlifes used to steal new air conditioners and other stuff out of brand new and vacant homes. This has gone down to almost nothing now. You used to do a walk around at houses to be sure they hadn’t been stripped or weren’t occupied by someone that was inside cooking up drugs. That was a very risky and dangerous thing to stumble onto for a number of reasons.

 
What amused me at one time, especially about 7 years ago when I was on a regimen of 10mg oxycodone (Percocet), I could just go to the counter and pick up my prescription. Yet to get a package of pseudoephedrine, I had to produce my driver's license and sign a register book.

quote:

Originally posted by henryaz:
 
What amused me at one time, especially about 7 years ago when I was on a regimen of 10mg oxycodone (Percocet), I could just go to the counter and pick up my prescription. Yet to get a package of pseudoephedrine, I had to produce my driver's license and sign a register book.

Big Pharma is selling the Oxy, not meth but I suspect the time will come when legal prescription drugs that have abuse issues will face more blow-back, from the public, then legislators.
I understand you point however. There have been some smaller pharmacies that process through a large quantity of other prescription stuff that should receive the same attention, but doesn't.

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:
I suspect the time will come when legal prescription drugs that have abuse issues will face more blow-back, from the public, then legislators.

That time has come. I am currently taking a schedule 4 synthetic opiod for severe sciatic pain in my leg. My PCP said he could no longer prescribe it on a long term basis, and that I had to see a "pain management" clinic. Visits are required every 30 days, at which time you pick up your scrip, which is postdated for the same day you run out on the prior scrip.

As a vet, they sent me a form from the local distributor from whom I buy most of my control drugs. The form had a list of scheduled (controlled) drugs that they commonly sell to vets. I had to make a list of each one I use, what strength and form, and an estimate of how much of it I will use on a monthly basis.

Nothing (so far) about limiting me to that amount, but they did ask you to be specific. Of course, this process took an employee (and therefore cost me money) to get the information collected. My guess was that they'd put that info into the database and then monitor for anomalies through the year as a safeguard.

I miss the good old days, where you could order as much as you want, and nobody bothered us (as vets).

And in my state, schedule 2 prescriptions must be paper and hand delivered. No fax, phone or email allowed.

quote:

Originally posted by henryaz:

That time has come.

Yep. Been here a while.

A few years ago, I worked for a large retail pharma chain. One day the DEA dropped the hammer on the company and shut down one of the distribution centers. It turned out that some employees there were making a few bucks on the side "rerouting" shipments of oxy.

Walgreens Agrees To Pay A Record Settlement Of $80 Million