title: Kentucky pharmacists' opinions of the potential reclassification of pseudoephedrine as a legend drug.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To collect and analyze Kentucky pharmacists' opinions of the effectiveness of current methamphetamine precursor controls, to analyze proposed legislation to make pseudoephedrine (PSE) a legend drug, and to analyze the potential impact of such legislation on pharmacy practice and patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive, nonexperimental survey study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Kentucky; June through October 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  431 Kentucky community pharmacists.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mailed survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Perceived efficacy of current methamphetamine precursor controls, anticipated impact on individual pharmacy practices and patients of proposed legislation to make PSE available by prescription only, and current opinions about the proposed legislation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of 431 community pharmacists showed that approximately 77% believed proposed legislation to make PSE available by prescription only would be effective in reducing methamphetamine abuse and methamphetamine-related laboratory incidents, with 56.2% indicating support for the proposed legislation. Pharmacists practicing in chain pharmacies were 2.9 times more likely to support the legislation than pharmacists practicing in independent pharmacies. Additional factors influencing pharmacist support included Kentucky region of practice, anticipated impact on time spent on PSE activities, pharmacy profit, methamphetamine abuse, and methamphetamine-related laboratory incidents. Pharmacists practicing in regions of Kentucky associated with higher methamphetamine abuse appear to more strongly support the proposed legislation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pharmacists are at the frontline of PSE distribution. Gaining a better understanding of issues surrounding the distribution of PSE will enhance the likelihood that future legislation may be crafted to reduce methamphetamine production, laboratory incidents, and abuse while minimizing inconvenience and cost.
authors: Kathleen E
authors: KE
authors: Monson
authors: Patricia R
authors: PR
authors: Freeman
authors: Amie J
authors: AJ
authors: Goodin
authors: Jeffery
authors: J
authors: Talbert
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Blumenschein
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services; D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D007629:Kentucky; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010594:Pharmacies; D010595:Pharmacists; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054199:Pseudoephedrine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D055553:Prescription Drugs; D008694:Methamphetamine; D054199:Pseudoephedrine