What is CHPAs position on placing medicines containing pseudoephedrine on prescription status?
CHPA favors retail sales and placement restrictions on pseudoephedrine containing medicines rather than requiring a doctor’s visit and prescription for those consumers who use these medicines. States with sales restrictions in place are already seeing a significant impact in the reduction of meth labs without placing an added burden on consumers. While restricting consumer access to pseudoephedrine has been shown to reduce the number of small meth labs in states with these restrictions, it has not been shown to reduce meth usage at all. There continues to be an increase in meth coming into the U.S. through Mexico and other countries. Any approach to reducing methamphetamine abuse must address the totality of the meth supply and include funding for demand-reduction, education, and treatment programs.
