INDIANAPOLIS (AP): An Indiana legislative panel is considering a bill that would give local governments the option of making cold medicines containing an ingredient used in making methamphetamine a controlled substance requiring a prescription.

A House committee heard about three hours of testimony on the proposal Monday, but didn't vote on the bill.

Supporters say the measure would help police combat a meth epidemic, but opponents say it's an intrusion on the lives of law-abiding people seeking care for colds and allergies.

Police disputed federal statistics showing that most meth is smuggled into the United States, saying homemade meth labs were the largest source of the drug in Indiana.

Lobbyists for health care groups said making pseudoephedrine a controlled substance would hamper health care and increase its cost.