HB298 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ed Henry

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

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

HB298 would classify ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine as Schedule III controlled substances and allow exemptions for products designed to prevent meth production, with exemptions revocable by the State Board of Health.

What This Bill Does

The bill requires the State Board of Health to classify three common drug ingredients as Schedule III controlled substances, meaning they would typically require prescription access. It also gives the Board the power to exempt a product containing any of these ingredients from the controlled-substance label if the product is designed to prevent conversion into methamphetamine. The Board could revoke any exemption if notified by the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency that the product no longer effectively prevents meth production, using an emergency rule process pending a hearing.

Who It Affects

• Consumers who use medicines containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine, as these products would generally require a prescription rather than being sold over the counter.
• Pharmacists, physicians, drug manufacturers, and state agencies (State Board of Health, Board of Pharmacy, and Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency) who would implement the scheduling, review exemption applications, monitor product formulations, and enforce any exemptions or revocations.

Key Provisions

• Classify ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine as Schedule III controlled substances.
• Authorize the State Board of Health to exempt products containing these ingredients from controlled-substance classification if the product is effectively formulated to prevent conversion to methamphetamine or its precursors.
• Authorize the Board to revoke an exemption if the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency determines the exempt product no longer effectively prevents conversion to methamphetamine, with an emergency rule in place pending a hearing.
• Amend Sections 20-2-20 and 20-2-181 to implement these changes.

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