Anti-meth bill killed by Okla. Senate panel

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Over-the-counter sales of cold medicines that contain a key ingredient used to make meth will continue after Oklahoma lawmakers killed a bill to require a prescription to buy them.

A Senate committee late Wednesday narrowly voted down the bill by Wagoner Republican Sen. Kim David that would have required a prescription to purchase any medicines containing pseudoephedrine.

Prosecutors and police say the bill is necessary to curb a growing meth problem, but drug companies and their lobbyists have been working to kill the measure and keep pills like Claritin-D and Advil Cold and Sinus on store shelves.

Opponents of the bill also have been taking to the airwaves with ads against the measure, and this week organizations representing physicians, pharmacists and grocers announced their opposition.