Court Finds No Nexus Between Cold Medicine Sales and Meth Epedemic

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Finding no solid connection between cold medicine sales and the costs associated with the methamphetamine epidemic, the 8th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has upheld dismissal of claims brought against manufacturers and distributors of over-the-counter cold medicine containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. Ashley County, Ark., et al. v. Pfizer Inc., No. 08-1491 (8th Cir.).

In a Jan. 5 opinion, the appellate panel affirmed that the complaint, filed by several Arkansas counties, failed to allege that the defendants violated any federal or state regulation governing the manufacture, distribution, packaging, or sale of their products. Nor did the counties …