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The Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy has received numerous phone calls from pharmacists expressing concerns regarding the lack of a centralized mechanism to anonymously report suspicious activity by individuals attempting to purchase pseudoephedrine and ephedrine products. Certain individuals appear to be shopping several stores, known as “smurfing”, in an attempt to circumvent the “nine (9) gram within 30 day” limit. Additionally, they may be confrontational or appear impaired at the time of purchase.
To address this situation, Senator Percy Malone met with Colonel Steve Dozier, State Police Director, and Captain Cleve Barfield, Commander of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division. Senator Malone, Colonel Dozier, and Captain Barfield formalized a mechanism for pharmacists to anonymously report suspicious purchases or aberrant behavior by these individuals. They stressed pharmacists should be non-confrontational in these situations and should adhere only to the “nine (9) gram within 30 day” limit for their store.
The toll free number to anonymously report suspicious activity is 1-800-553-3820. This number serves as the Arkansas State Police Drug Information Hotline. |
