West Virginia CVS Pharmacies Ban Single-Ingredient Pseudoephedrine Cold Medications

CVS pharmacies in West Virginia have stopped selling single-ingredient pseudoephedrine cold medications as part of an effort to hinder criminals who use the drug to make illegal methamphetamine, reports the Charleston Gazette. The ban applies to all 50 CVS pharmacies in the state, as well as 40 stores that are within 15 miles of West Virginia’s borders. Zephrex-D^®, a single-ingredient pseudoephedrine cold medication that is tamper resistant, and cold medicines that combine pseudoephedrine with other ingredients are still sold. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) urged CVS to implement the ban, the Gazette reports. Police shut down 530 illegal meth labs in West Virginia last year and 207 so far this year, reports the Gazette.