The Unintended Consequences of Lucky Lamons’ Legislation

I fear that the unintended outcome of Lamons’ latest legislation to require a doctor’s prescription in order to get pseudoephedrine (PSE) will result in suffering of many Oklahomans who can find relief of their congestion no other way. While clearly his intention to limit the criminal’s ability to produce Methamphetamine is a laudable, I believe it to be entirely misguided.

As I pointed out in my last post, this is an illogical way to curb Meth abuse/production as it leads to the limited availability of good drugs that work, in favor of crummy drugs that don’t. We already see this today with the current law in Oklahoma that requires law abiding citizens to retrieve their needed PSE from behind the counter, albeit without a prescription. As more and more states restrict the sale of PSE, two things are occurring: 1. drug companies are replacing the PSE in their popular allergy and congestion drugs with Phenylephrine (PE) and 2. pharmacies are reducing their stock of drugs containing PSE because of reduced demand.

A week ago I went the pharmacy in search for a drug containing only PSE; there we two choices and both were completely out of stock. Today, I was searching for a children’s drug containing only PSE for my daughter. The children’s drugs containing PE are completely ineffective for her. There was only one name brand choice for a drug containing only PSE and they carried no generic version. Not only that, but I had to ask for it since they did not display the card for me take to the counter. To further complicate matters, I wanted to get some PSE for my wife who is also suffering from congestion. There was a real danger that I might not be able to purchase both drugs because of the limits placed on the sale of PSE. “I don’t think you will be able to purchase both of these,” said the Pharmacist. I almost had to choose between the comfort of my wife and the comfort of my daughter; fortunately I was under my PSE limit and was able to get both.

I fear that if Rep. Lamons has his way, it won’t be my family’s sinuses, but the market for PSE that will completely dry out. Even though I might be willing to drive to the Dr’s office in order to avail myself of the only drug that works for my family, I suspect that most Oklahomans will not. As result of pure market forces, the already difficult to get PSE will become virtually impossible to find. So while I will not question Rep Lamons’ intentions regarding the relief of our congestion, I am suggesting that his legislation, if enacted will have the very effect that I’ve described. I renew my call for sensible legislation that punishes criminals and not the citizens of Oklahoma.