A new statewide electronic tracking system that monitors over-the-counter ingredients used to make methamphetamine blocked more than 13,391 sales in the last ten months.

State Health Department spokesman Tim Church said the tracking system records the buyer's information, such as a driver's license, along with the type and amount of the medication.

The three ingredients that are tracked are pseudoephedrine, ephedrine and phenylpropanolamine, which all are meant to treat colds and allergies.

Church said people are allowed to purchase 3.6 grams or 120 pills in a day. In a month, people can buy 9 grams or 300 pills.

"Just about anyone will be well served by that amount," Church said.

The tracking system, which is used in all retail stores selling the drugs, shows the cashier if the buyer has exceeded the allowed amount. The system also flags drug purchases made in another state. Information about buying medication over the legal limit is instantly added to a database that is available to law enforcement.

The system has blocked 320 people in Thurston County and 66 in Grays Harbor County. In King County, 4,133 people were blocked.