Cold medicine bill killed in House

BOISE – The House of Representatives on Wednesday killed a reworked bill that targeted the sale of common cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine.

The bill focused on wholesalers who distribute the decongestant, which is used in the illegal cooking of methamphetamines, not retailers as was originally proposed by four House lawmakers.

On a 40-27 vote, the House shot down the Senate-amended bill. The only Panhandle lawmakers voting against the revamped bill were Reps. Marge Chadderdon, R-Coeur d’Alene, Frank Henderson, R-Post Falls, and Mary Lou Shepherd, D-Prichard.

Earlier in the session, the House approved a measure targeted at retailers, but pharmacists and store owners vehemently opposed it.

So, the measure was amended in the Senate to force only wholesalers to give monthly reports to the state Board of Pharmacy on how much of the drug is distributed.