CHPA Pushes for Comprehensive Electronic OTC Med Tracking

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) recently requested that congress consider requiring nationwide tracking of over the counter cold and allergy medication to combat methamphetamine production. The drugs impacted would be those that contain the ingredient pseudoephedrine (PSE) as they are commonly purchased in bulk by methamphetamine producers.
Ten states have already enacted legislation that allows for electronic tracking of PSE medication sales and others have taken steps that require identification and/or moved the medications behind the pharmacy counter. Oregon and Mississippi have elected to make the medications available by prescription only.
The CHPA argues that the electronic tracking system has the most impact on sales to meth producers without generating the inconvenience to consumers of prescription requirements. They also argue that an electronic, multi-state system is a low cost measure that could provide benefits to law enforcement as well as general consumers.