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Finding allergy relief could be more difficult for Tennesseans under proposed regulations

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By Pam Sohn October 10, 2012 4 min read

Dr. Marc Cromie

STATE’S TOP METH COUNTIESBy lab seizure numbers through September in 2012, these are Tennessee’s top meth counties:1. Anderson — 1152. Hamilton — 673. Shelby — 614. Coffee — 515. McMinn — 496. Bradley — 467. Warren — 458. Campbell — 42

Three Tennessee cities, including Chattanooga, made the top 11 of the nation’s 100 fall allergy capitals.

With the sneezing and wheezing season upon us, a national group of allergists and asthma specialists are touting these numbers, and actively opposing proposed legislation that would make over-the-counter medications containing a major meth ingredient available by prescription only.

“Perhaps more than any other state, Tennessee residents have it rough when it comes to asthma and allergy symptoms,” said Mike Tringale, vice president of external affairs at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Because residents already are burdened in a state that is a hotbed for allergies, they should not be limited when they need medication immediately, he said.