Walgreen Co. (NYSE, NASDAQ: WAG) announced it will move all products containing pseudoephedrine, including liquids and gels, behind the pharmacy counter by the end of October. The policy will apply to all stores nationwide. This move expands its April decision to remove single-ingredient products from store shelves.
‘Walgreens has great concern for the meth abuse problem facing many of our communities,’ said president and chief operation officer Jeff Rein. ‘We believe limiting access to the products used to create this devastating addiction is the right thing to do in the interest of public safety.’
For more than three years, Walgreens has voluntarily placed limits exceeding those imposed by most state laws on purchases of pseudoephedrine and other over-the-counter medications.
Walgreen Co. is the nation’s largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2004 sales of $37.5 billion. The company operates 4,859 stores in 45 states and Puerto Rico. Walgreens also provides additional services to pharmacy patients and prescription drug plans through Walgreens Health Initiatives (a pharmacy benefits manager), Walgreens Mail Service, Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy and Walgreens Home Care.