SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 94

(By Senators Stollings, Prezioso, Foster, Laird, Palumbo, Hall and Jenkins)

[Originating in the Committee on Health and Human Resources]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to conduct a study on the need for and the societal costs and benefits of making pseudoephedrine and ephedrine available only pursuant to a prescription.

    Whereas, in other states, which have required a prescription for those drugs that are necessary to facilitate production of methamphetamine, there has been a significant decrease in the number of methamphetamine laboratories in those states; and

    Whereas, states such as Mississippi and Oregon are showing significant positive results in reducing meth labs in those states by making pseudoephedrine and ephedrine Schedule III or IV Controlled Substances which are only available through a prescription; and

    Whereas, more that just showing a deep decline in the number of meth labs in those states having pseudoephedrine and ephedrine available by prescription only, the data shows that the costs and inconveniences to the public have been minimal; and

    Whereas, those states having prescription only pseudoephedrine and ephedrine report that the populations have chosen to buy other readily available over-the-counter products which have been reformulated by the manufacturers without meth-precursors in them; and

    Whereas, the costs of obtaining prescriptions have been minimized by using the alternative products by physicians simply calling the prescription in for established patients without the need for an extra office visit; and

    Whereas, the costs that are incurred are offset by the savings to the states from avoiding the expenditures required to clean up meth labs or incurred by the states and third-party payors; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to conduct a study on the need for and the societal costs and benefits of making pseudoephedrine and ephedrine available only pursuant to a prescription; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2012, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and be it

    Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.