Two major drugstore chains, CVS and Rite Aid, announced yesterday that they will move certain over-the-counter allergy and cold medicines to pharmacy shelves in an effort to prevent their use in the making of methamphetamines, potent and addictive drugs that have captured increasing attention from public health authorities and law enforcement.

Walgreens also plans to put products containing the compound known as pseudoephedrine behind the counter, company spokeswoman Tiffani Bruce said.

A spokesman for CVS, headquartered in Rhode Island, said the company's decision was prompted both by the spread of illegal Meth across the nation as well as moves by state legislatures to tighten laws governing over-the-counter products containing pseudoephedrine.

"We're in many states where the legislatures are considering putting more serious restrictions on these products," CVS spokesman Michael DeAngelis said.

One of those states is Massachusetts. State Senator Harriette L. Chandler, a Democrat from Worcester, has introduced legislation that would require that certain cold and allergy medicines be distributed by licensed pharmacists, that purchasers present photo identification, and that the amount sold be severely restricted.

"Methamphetamine abuse has become a major problem across the nation, and here in Massachusetts we have begun to see some of the very serious public health consequences of its use," Chandler said yesterday.

The decision by CVS and other chains Target, Albertson's, and Wal- Mart Stores earlier restricted pseudoephedrine sales affects medicines such as Sudafed, NyQuil, and Theraflu.

The CVS policy starts July 1 and affects 5,400 stores in 36 states. Rite Aid's policy will take effect in its 3,400 stores Aug. 1.