CHPA Statement on Passage of HB 2941 in Oklahoma House Public Health Committee

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Consumer Healthcare Products Association

Feb 21, 2012, 07:16 ET

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) released the following statement in response to the Oklahoma House Public Health Committee's unanimous passage (13-0) of House Bill 2941—legislation which would target meth criminals and strengthen current sales blocking technology:

"The Oklahoma House Public Health Committee took an important step today towards protecting law-abiding consumers' access to safe and effective medicines containing pseudoephedrine (PSE)—such as Advil Cold & Sinus, Allegra-D, Claritin-D, Mucinex D, and Sudafed— and ensuring that law enforcement officials have the tools they need to track down and arrest criminals who produce methamphetamine," said Carlos Gutierrez, director of state government relations for the CHPA.

"Representative David Derby's legislation—H.B. 2941—enhances Oklahoma's existing system, bringing this system online with 17 other states that have implemented real-time, stop-sale technology. Under this approach, Oklahoma's system would block unlawful PSE sales by meth offenders in Oklahoma as well as those who have traveled from other states. The improved system will also incorporate Oklahoma's meth offender registry, generating criminal data in real time and ensure that Oklahoma pharmacists have the most advanced technology possible to block illegal PSE sales before they happen."

CHPA is the 131 year-old-trade association representing U.S. manufacturers and distributors of over-the-counter medicines and nutritional supplements.

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SOURCE Consumer Healthcare Products Association