Top 5 Strange Things Kids Can’t Buy on their Own Anymore

3.  Sudafed and Other Effective Cold and Flu Relief Products

When we first moved to Missouri, it was possible to buy a number of cold and flu and allergy relief products that actually worked over the counter. Then, one day, it wasn’t possible anymore. All those products that used pseudoephedrine, ephedrine and phenylpropanolamine disappeared behind the counter and could not be purchased without presenting your driver’s license.

What happened? Would you believe it was an addition to the Patriot Act? 

The Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 has been incorporated into the Patriot Act signed by President Bush on March 9, 2006. The act bans over-the-counter sales of cold medicines that contain the ingredient pseudoephedrine, which is commonly used to make methamphetamine. The sale of cold medicine containing pseudoephedrine is limited to behind the counter. The amount of pseudoephedrine that an individual can purchase each month is limited and individuals are required to present photo identification to purchase products containing pseudoephedrine. In addition, stores are required to keep personal information about purchasers for at least two years.

While this law applies to everybody and is not targeted specifically at children, the overall result is that if you are sick and in bed and want your child to go get you some Sudafed at the store, that is in all likelihood not going to happen.