Legislators considering putting common cold remedies behind the pharmacist’s counter should realize what a bad idea that is — unless they are also going to mandate that every retailer in Arizona employ a pharmacist around the clock.

This attempt to prevent criminals from misusing legal, over-the-counter cough/cold/allergy medications would do more harm than good for the millions of consumers who safely and legally use these products.

What if an asthma sufferer stops into a convenience store for common medicine needed to thwart or stop an asthma attack≠ They’d be out of luck, and maybe dead.

What if a mother needs common allergy medicine for her child – but there are no pharmacies for miles≠ They’d be out of luck, and maybe dead.

Common sense should prevail. The hysteria of restricting the availability of common over-the-counter medicines is not the answer to stopping or reducing the operation of meth labs throughout Arizona.

Increased education, resulting in a lower demand for illegal drugs is certainly one avenue. So are stricter penalties for those who operate meth labs, especially in the presence of children.

Handcuffing the public in their choices for over-the-counter medicines for themselves or their families puts the restrai-nts on the wrong people.—

John D. Musil, President and CEO , Apothecary Shops of Arizona – The Specialty Pharmacies, president-elect, Arizona Pharmacy Alliance