Reports: Rite Aid will no longer sell OTC drugs with pseudoephedrine as only active ingredient in W.Va.

NEW YORK — Rite Aid has stopped selling some cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine at its stores in West Virginia, according to published reports.

The Charleston, W.Va., Gazette reported that the chain would stop selling medicines that have pseudoephedrine as their only active ingredient, such as Sudafed 12 Hour and Sudafed 24 Hour, though they would continue selling products that combine pseudoephedrine with other ingredients like antihistamines and painkillers.

Pseudoephedrine is a key ingredient in the production of methamphetamine, which has led to restrictions on cold medicines containing it, but the newspaper noted that meth makers don't usually buy combination pills.

The Gazette reported last month that Rite Aid, CVS and Walmart were selling the highest quantities of pseudoephedrine medicines in the state.