Target stores to clamp down on cold medicines used to make methamphetamine

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Target Corp. will no longer allow unfettered access to cold medicines that are used to make the illegal stimulant methamphetamine.<br/><br/>Target stores nationwide will pull many

Monday, April 18th 2005, 10:57 am

By: News On 6

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Target Corp. will no longer allow unfettered access to cold medicines that are used to make the illegal stimulant methamphetamine.

Target stores nationwide will pull many cold, allergy and cough remedies from their regular shelves and sell them only from pharmacy counters, the Minneapolis-based company announced Monday.

The products won't be sold at stores that don't have pharmacies. Target operates 1,330 stores in 47 states.

The restrictions apply to over-the-counter drugs that contain pseudoephedrine, an active ingredient used to make meth. The changes will take effect within two to three months and are a response to potential and current restrictions on the sale of the medications throughout the country.

"As a national retailers, it is becoming increasingly difficult to meet the requirements of each individual city, county and state law," said Mary Kelly, vice president of health, beauty and pharmacy, in the release.

A number of states have enacted or are considering restrictions on the sale of cold medicine. In Oklahoma, officials have said its law has helped reduce meth lab seizures more than 80 percent.