COLUMBIA - A bill is moving forward to limit the sale of some cold medicines in hopes of curbing the production of methamphetamine.
A Senate committee approved the legislation Wednesday, despite concerns that the proposal punishes the innocent to stop the guilty.
"The idea here is a minor inconvenience for a major deterrent," said Rep. Joan Brady, R-Columbia, who is sponsoring the measure.
The proposal, House Bill 3591, would require stores to keep medication containing pseudoephedrine, such as Sudafed, behind the counter.
To buy the medicine, customers would have to present a photo ID and sign a log book. They also would be limited to purchasing 9 grams - about three packages - at any one time.
Proponents say the legislation is necessary to keep meth manufacturers from buying enough ephedrine and pseudoephedrine to make the illegal drug.
Opponents say it is too burdensome on retailers and customers and will keep small stores from carrying the cold medicine.
Jay Watts, the owner of Family Pharmacy in Aiken, said he supports the ID and log book requirements.
But he hopes lawmakers will reconsider the provision that would put the medication behind the counter.
He said his store is about 1,000 square feet, and to accommodate the new law, he'd have to reduce his supply of cold medicines from 40 or 50 boxes to about a dozen.
Senators said they would look into the federal plan and requirements before the full Senate votes on the bill.
Reach Kirsten Singleton at (803) 414-6611 or kirsten.singleton@morris.com.