SB23 Alabama 2012 1st Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Roger Bedford, Jr.

Democrat

Session

First Special Session 2012

Title

Ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine, State Board of Health required to classify as controlled substances, exemptions, removed from list of precursor chemicals maintained by State Board of Pharmacy, Secs. 20-2-20, 20-2-181 am'd.

Summary

SB23 would classify ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine as Schedule III controlled substances and allow exemptions for certain products if they are designed to prevent methamphetamine production, with a process to revoke those exemptions.

What This Bill Does

It requires the three chemicals to be sold by prescription as Schedule III substances unless a product exemption is granted. The State Board of Health can exempt products containing these ingredients from control if they are effectively formulated to prevent conversion to methamphetamine, and can revoke the exemption if the Department of Public Safety provides probable cause that the exemption is no longer effective, through an emergency rule pending a hearing. The bill also adds these chemicals to the list of listed precursor chemicals overseen by the Board of Pharmacy, with procedures to designate or delete them in line with federal rules and timelines.

Who It Affects

• Consumers who use or purchase products containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine, who may need a prescription or rely on exempted products to avoid prescription requirements.
• Manufacturers and distributors of products containing these ingredients, who may apply for exemptions and must meet formulation standards to prevent meth production.
• Pharmacists and healthcare providers, who would handle prescription requirements or exemptions and ensure compliance.
• State regulatory bodies (State Board of Health, Department of Public Safety, and Board of Pharmacy), which would administer scheduling, exemptions, revocation processes, and precursor chemical rules.

Key Provisions

• Ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine are to be classified as Schedule III controlled substances under the Alabama Code.
• The State Board of Health may exempt a product containing any of these substances from control if the product is effectively formulated to prevent conversion of the active ingredient into methamphetamine or its precursors, and may revoke the exemption if the Department of Public Safety provides probable cause that the exemption is not effective.
• If DPS notifies probable cause, the Board may issue an emergency rule revoking the exemption pending a hearing.
• The Board of Pharmacy must designate listed precursor chemicals and may add or delete chemicals by rule; ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine are treated among listed precursors, with designation/deletion following federal rule timelines and an objection/hearing process if needed.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Controlled Substances