Ohio bill would require tracking of cold medication sales

COLUMBUS (AP) — A proposal in the Ohio House would require retailers to digitally track sales of some over-the-counter allergy and cold medications used to make the illegal drug methamphetamine.

The Dayton Daily News reports today the bill sponsored by Republican state Rep. Terry Johnson of McDermott would allow real-time tracking of the medications through a national exchange.

The legislation would apply to pseudoephedrine and ephedrine, ingredients used in at-home and portable meth labs that can lead to explosions and fires.

Ohio in 2006 began requiring purchasers of pseudoephedrine to sign a log book, and officials say meth manufacturers turned to portable labs for smaller batches. The one pot or shake-and-bake labs use a two-liter bottle or other container to mix ingredients.

The Ohio Council of Retail Merchants supports the new proposal.