Indiana Voters Oppose Prescription Requirements for Popular Cold and Allergy Medicines

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) today released the results of a recent poll of Indiana voters conducted by the polling company, inc./WomanTrend and supported by CHPA. The poll, which surveyed 602 Indiana voters between January 7-10, 2016, found that a majority of Hoosiers (61 percent) oppose a proposed law that would require all consumers to obtain a doctor's prescription before buying over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines containing pseudoephedrine (PSE). Over two-thirds (67 percent) of respondents said that restricting access to these medicines is an unfair approach to managing the meth issue in the state.

"This survey provides evidence that the majority of Indiana consumers prefer solutions to the meth problem that target criminals, not law-abiding citizens. Instead of burdening millions of people who are already suffering from chronic health conditions such as allergies, sinus problems and colds, Indiana lawmakers should put restrictions on the individuals who are responsible for Indiana's meth scourge – the drug criminals," said Carlos Gutierrez, Senior Director and Head of State Government Affairs for CHPA. "Voters clearly oppose prescription requirements for over-the-counter medicines containing PSE, but they strongly support banning these medications to known drug felons," said Gutierrez. State Senator Mike Young and state Representative Dave Frizzell have introduced legislation that does exactly this. Alabama and Oklahoma have adopted drug offender block lists and have experienced a 77 and 88 percent drop in meth labs seizures, respectively.

"CHPA looks forward to working with Indiana lawmakers on constructive anti-meth measures that target criminals, not law-abiding families, because that's what Indiana voters are demanding," said Gutierrez.

Key Findings from the Indiana Voter Poll

• Indiana Voters oppose creating a new law in Indiana that would require a doctor's prescription to purchase non-prescription medicines containing pseudoephedrine.
  • Voters oppose the proposed law by a 61 percent to 32 percent margin, with 46 percent saying they "strongly oppose" the measure.
    
    
• Indiana voters say it would be inconvenient to have to obtain a doctor's prescription in order to purchase cold or allergy medicines containing pseudoephedrine and are concerned about the costs associated with obtaining a prescription.
  • Voters overwhelmingly agree (68 percent to 20 percent) that it is unfair to burden families with the added cost to visit a doctor just obtain a prescription for these medicines.
    
    
• While concerns about meth production and meth-related crimes are high, Indiana voters believe current laws and safeguards are working and support implementing a meth offender block list targeting criminals instead of law-abiding citizens.
  • 69 percent of Indiana voters agree that the current laws, including the National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx), are working.
  • More than three-quarters (78 percent) of Indiana voters say they support creating a meth offender block list, which requires those previously convicted of a drug or meth-related crime to obtain a prescription to purchase medicines containing pseudoephedrine.

About the Consumer Healthcare Products Association

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) is the 135-year-old national trade association representing the leading manufacturers and marketers of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and dietary supplements. Every dollar spent by consumers on OTC medicines saves the U.S. healthcare system $6-$7, contributing a total of $102 billion in savings each year. CHPA is committed to empowering consumer self-care by preserving and expanding choice and availability of consumer healthcare products. www.chpa.org

SOURCE Consumer Healthcare Products Association

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