Kansas Lawmakers Consider Controlling over-the-counter Drug Sales

Media Advisory For more information, contact Dann Hayes, University Relations, University of Kansas at (785) 864-8855 or [email protected].

Kansas Lawmakers Consider Controlling over-the-counter Drug Sales

KU SCHOOL OF PHARMACY EXPERTS AVAILABLE FOR MEDIA INTERVIEWS

Kansas lawmakers consider controlling over-the-counter drug sales LAWRENCE -- Kansas lawmakers are currently examining a proposal that could make Kansas the only state in the country where consumers could not buy more than two packages of over-the-counter cold and flu medicines at a time. The law, proposed by Kansas Attorney General Carla Stovall, is in response to the large increase in methamphetamine laboratories around the state. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, Kansas ranks as one of the nation's top four methamphetamine producers. The legislation would limit sales of over-the-counter cold medicines that contain several key chemicals used in the production of methamphetamine. The University of Kansas School of Pharmacy can assist reporters and editors in the development of stories on this issue. Two KU School of Pharmacy contacts and their backgrounds, are

Jack E. Fincham, dean (785) 864-359 [email protected]

Jack E. Fincham (FINCH-uhm) is KU dean of pharmacy and professor of pharmacy practice. His primary areas of research include managed care organizations (HMOs), patient dosage compliance and drug use and misuse in the elderly. Fincham also serves as a spokesman for the pharmaceutical industry on the proper storage techniques for storing prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

Jeremy A. Matchett, associate dean (785) 864-3591 [email protected]

Jeremy A. Matchett (MATCH-ehtt) is the associate dean of pharmacy and professor of pharmacy practice. His primary areas of research include psychopharmacology -- the use of psychotropic agents and their mechanism of action, rational drug therapy and the improvement of the pharmacist's ability to contribute to patient health care. Both Fincham and Matchett are available for interviews from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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