Prescription needed to buy cold meds

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - The Mississippi House has approved a bill to require a doctor's prescription to purchase cold medicine containing pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in the illegal drug methamphetamine.

The measure was passed 105-15 after lengthy debate that included some lawmakers discussing how the escalating meth problem had impacted their families.

Under the bill, consumers would need a doctor's prescription to buy Sudafed and other medicine containing pseudoephedrine, a decongestant.

Supporters say the measure will curtail meth production by limiting accessibility to the main ingredient. Opponents have said the change would be burdensome. They also contend that meth addicts will simply travel across state lines to buy the cold medicine.