Yes, you have to get it behind the counter. Not a big deal really, just walk up and ask for Primatene, if they don't have that ask for Bronkaid (or vice versea). I think a limit exists on how much you can buy at one time or how much you can buy in a month, but I'm not sure what it is.
This is how chicken **** this all is ...
In my state (not sure if it's the same for all states) - you have to go behind the counter to get Primatine. When you ask for it ... they will sell you only "so" much (I'm not sure what the exact limit is). They then ask you to sign a document - which documents the fact that you bought the Primatine and how much you bought. It has your address on the document and you sign it.
I'm told that you need Ephidrine to make certain illegal drugs - and that is why there is all this bull**** you have to go through.
Now - you can to another store and buy MORE Primatine on the same day - up to the limit. You can do this - as many times as you want - you could get thousands of boxes in one day. If you did - you may get a knock on the door from the local police wanting to know what in the **** you're doing with all this Ephedrine HCL.
OR ...
You can just order the **** on Amazon.com when you need it - which is what I do.