Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research		 BILL
ANALYSIS
Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Committee

HB 1797

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Automating the reporting requirements for ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine sales by establishing a state repository.

Sponsors: Representatives O'Brien, Campbell and Morrell.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Directs the State Board of Pharmacy to require the collection and maintenance of electronic logs to record retail transactions of products containing specific methamphetamine precursor ingredients.

Hearing Date: 2/12/07

Staff: Yvonne Walker (786-7841).

Background:

Precursor drugs are substances that can be used to manufacture controlled substances. For example: ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine are common precursor ingredients that are often used to illegally manufacture methamphetamine. Methamphetamine is a highly addictive substance that affects the central nervous system.

In 2001, the Legislature passed legislation (ESSB 5017) that placed restrictions on the sale and distribution of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine. The legislation instituted a number of measures including: providing reporting and record keeping requirements for the sale of these precursor substances; restricting the retail sale of the precursor substances; and limiting the quantity that a person may possess.

In Washington, only pharmacies, authorized health care practitioners, and registered shopkeepers and itinerant vendors may sell products containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine to consumers. They may not sell more than two packages of these products in a single transaction or a single product containing more than three grams of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine.

Summary of Bill:

The State Board of Pharmacy (Board) must require all persons who sell or distribute products containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine to collect and maintain electronic logs to record such retail transactions. The Board is also required to establish and maintain a repository of the electronic logs furnished to the Board reflecting such transactions.
The repository must:

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.