CHPA Applauds Nevada's Adoption of Assembly Bill 39

Law implements real-time, stop-sale technology

News provided by

Consumer Healthcare Products Association

Jun 03, 2013, 03:00 ET

WASHINGTON, June 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) today applauded Attorney General Catherine Cortez-Masto, the Nevada Legislature, and Governor Brian Sandoval for passing and signing Assembly Bill 39, an anti-methamphetamine bill. With Governor Sandoval's signature, Nevada became the 27^th state to adopt electronic pseudoephedrine (PSE) sales blocking technology.

Real-time, stop-sale technology is a proven and powerful tool that allows retailers and pharmacists to block unlawful attempted purchases of cold and allergy medicines containing PSE that exceed daily or monthly limits established by the 2005 federal Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act. While law-abiding consumers make the vast majority of PSE purchases, some hardened criminals illegally obtain these products in order to manufacture meth. Illegal sales blocking technology empowers retailers and law enforcement officials with the ability to track and block illegal sales of products containing PSE before they happen. Before this technology was in place, retailers had to manually record PSE purchases in a hand-written logbook—a cumbersome and ineffective system for preventing unlawful sales. Real-time, stop-sale technology is also a useful tool for police officers and narcotics agents. Law enforcement officials have instant access to PSE purchasing activity which can help determine suspicious purchases and lead to arrests. The system is provided at no charge to the state.

"With Governor Sandoval's signature on this important legislation, Nevada is now connected to more than half the nation via illegal sales blocking technology," said Carlos Gutierrez, senior director of state government affairs for CHPA. "In addition to Nevada, twenty-six other states have chosen to adopt illegal sales blocking technology because it provides an exceptional resource to law enforcement and retailers, while ensuring that law-abiding consumers continue to have access to the cold and allergy medicines they know and trust. More than 18 million American families rely on safe and effective medicines containing pseudoephedrine for relief from their symptoms. We commend Governor Sandoval, Attorney General Cortez-Masto, and the Nevada legislature for advancing legislation that targets criminals, not responsible Nevada families."

CHPA is the 132-year-old-trade association representing U.S. manufacturers and distributors of over-the-counter medicines and dietary supplements.

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SOURCE Consumer Healthcare Products Association