FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - The House and Senate judiciary committees will hold a joint meeting Thursday morning to hear expert testimony on whether the state should require that pseudoephedrine be made available only by prescription.

The bill would make it harder to purchase large quantities of cold and allergy medications such as Sudafed, because they are used in production of methamphetamine, a dangerous illegal drug.

Lawmakers have been debating over the past year whether to restrict sales of the medications. That proposal didn't garner enough support to pass in last year's legislative session.

Last year the Kentucky Medical Association endorsed a plan to make the drug available only with a doctor's prescription. Drug companies opposed it.

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