CHPA Applauds New Mexico Adoption Of House Bill 146

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Consumer Healthcare Products Association

Mar 16, 2013, 11:53 ET

Law implements real-time, stop-sale technology

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) today applauded the New Mexico legislature for passing House Bill 146, an anti-methamphetamine bill authored by Representative Antonio "Moe" Maestas (D-16). Once Governor Susana Martinez (R-N.M.) signs the bill into law, New Mexico will become 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 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 if a suspect is purchasing PSE in order to manufacture meth.. The system is provided at no charge to the state.

"Shortly after Governor Martinez signs this important legislation into law, more than half the nation will be covered by pseudoephedrine tracking technology," said Scott Melville, president and chief executive officer of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association. "In addition to New Mexico, twenty-six states have chosen to adopt real-time, stop-sale technology because in addition to providing an exceptional resource to law enforcement and retailers, the technology ensures 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 symptoms. We commend Representative Maestas for advancing legislation that targets criminals, not responsible New Mexico taxpayers."

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