What is the connection between methamphetamine and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines?
Pseudoephedrine or ephedrine is a necessary ingredient, or “precursor,” in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Pseudoephedrine and ephedrine are the active ingredients in legitimate brand-name and store-brand OTC cough/cold and asthma medicines. These safe and effective medicines are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter use by American consumers. Unfortunately, there are illegitimate producers making products using these ingredients. These illegitimate producers are not members of CHPA and often sell their products at nontraditional outlets. They sell their products in large quantities—far larger than could be reasonably used by the average consumer—and most likely are not packaged in federally mandated blister packs. CHPA does not support the sale of these products and proposes stiff penalties for their manufacture.
