SB 457 amends Title 35 Chapter 3 of the O.C.G.A. Currently, Georgia does not have a centralized real-time electronic logbook that can record purchases of products containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine. This bill would establish a centralized electronic data base that logs purchases from pharmacies of products containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine. The electronic logbook will be called “MethCheck” and will be maintained by the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC).

Pharmacies must enter the name of the purchaser, the date, and the quantity purchased into MethCheck. No retailer other than a pharmacy is authorized to make sales of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine. A person purchasing these products must be at least 18 years old and will be required to show valid identification. The purchaser will be required to sign an electronic log or receipt at the time of purchase.

The GCIC will provide pharmacies in the state access to MethCheck. MethCheck will have the ability to calculate state and federal purchase limitations, to match identification information, and to alert pharmacies of potential illegal purchases. The GCIC may destroy records in MethCheck any time after 3 years of the date of entry.