Tennessee's Stop-Sale System Achieves Significant Quarterly Results In Battle Against Meth

LUTHERVILLE, Md., April 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI) – a nonprofit organization that facilitates cooperation between law enforcement, healthcare professionals, state regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical manufacturers in the prevention and investigation of drug diversion – today lauded the latest quarterly results achieved by the real-time, stop-sale system in Tennessee.  Data for the first quarter of 2012 released by the National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx) shows electronic technology in the Volunteer State blocked the sale of more than 14,500 boxes of medicines containing pseudoephedrine (PSE) preventing more than 38,600 grams from potentially being diverted by meth criminals. NPLEx was fully implemented in Tennessee in January 2012.

In addition to NPLEx, Tennessee also has a meth offender registry that contains the names of 3,082 individuals who, due to previous meth-related offenses, are not allowed to buy PSE. Through March 31, the meth offender block list in TN has blocked 486 boxes from being purchased.  Of the 3,082 individuals on the block list, NPLEx stopped 187 of them from attempting to purchase PSE a total of 472 times. 

"Tennessee's real-time, stop-sale technology has been in place for a little over three months, and during that short period of time, we've seen impressive results," said Charles F. Cichon, executive director of the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI).  "Not only does the technology allow pharmacists to block illegal purchases of medications containing pseudoephedrine at the counter, it also protects law-abiding citizens' access to the popular over-the-counter medicines they depend on for relief from cold and allergy symptoms. As Tennessee lawmakers debate the best way forward in the fight against meth production and abuse, it's critically important that they give NPLEx sufficient time to work.  If the first three months of full implementation are any indication, the technology is already making a significant impact."

About NADDI

The National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that facilitates cooperation between law enforcement, healthcare professionals, state regulatory agencies, and pharmaceutical manufacturers in the investigation and prevention of prescription drug abuse and diversion. NADDI also sponsors and conducts specialized educational seminars and conferences.

www.naddi.org

SOURCE National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators