Drug Diversion Investigators Support Ohio Effort to Crack Down on Illegal Meth Production

LUTHERVILLE, Md., Jan. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI) – a nonprofit organization that facilitates cooperation between law enforcement, healthcare professionals, state regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical manufacturers in the prevention and investigation of drug diversion – today released the following statement in reaction to proponent testimony in the Ohio House of Representatives on House Bill 334.

"We strongly encourage Ohio lawmakers to support House Bill 334, legislation that would implement real-time, stop-sale technology called the National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx).  NPLEx is proven technology that allows pharmacists to block unlawful sales of safe and effective medicines containing pseudoephedrine (PSE) right at the counter.  At no cost to the state, consumers or retailers, NPLEx has already shown impressive results in 17 other states and nationwide by a number of national retail chains.  In 2011, the electronic technology successfully blocked more than two million grams in potential illegal sales of PSE, keeping FDA-approved medicines out of the hands of meth criminals.

"In the neighboring State of Indiana, in just six months since implementation, real-time, stop-sale technology has blocked the sale of more than 17,000 boxes of medicines containing PSE.  Not only does NPLEx prevent unlawful PSE purchases, it also provides law enforcement officials with a critical tool in the fight against meth, and ensures that law-abiding citizens have access to popular and reliable medicines like Advil Cold & Sinus, Claritin D and Sudafed that they rely upon.  We urge Ohio to adopt this effective tool to battle the growing problem of methamphetamine."

About NADDI

The National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI) is a nonprofit organization that facilitates cooperation between law enforcement, healthcare professionals, state regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical manufacturers in the prevention and investigation of drug diversion.  NADDI also sponsors and conducts specialized educational seminars and conferences.

SOURCE NADDI