HB298 Summary

• Requires the State Board of Health to classify ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine as Schedule III controlled substances despite federal law allowing over-the-counter sales.

• Authorizes the State Board of Health to exempt products containing these substances from controlled substance classification if the product is effectively formulated to prevent conversion to methamphetamine or its precursors.

• Allows the State Board of Health to revoke exemptions upon notification from the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency that an exempted product does not effectively prevent methamphetamine conversion, with an emergency rule pending a hearing.

• Removes ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine from the list of precursor chemicals maintained by the State Board of Pharmacy.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.