Majority of Springfield Voters Oppose Prescription Only PSE Requirements

News provided by

Consumer Healthcare Products Association

Jul 22, 2013, 10:00 ET

WASHINGTON, July 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) released the following statement today on a recent poll of Springfield, Mo., voters conducted by Magellan Strategies and supported by CHPA. The poll, which surveyed 1,046 Springfield voters between June 25^th and 26^th , found that a 62-percent-majority of Springfield residents oppose a proposed law that would require all consumers to obtain a doctor's prescription before buying safe and effective cold and allergy medicines containing pseudoephedrine (PSE).

"The findings of the recent Springfield poll are consistent with what we've seen across Missouri and throughout the country," said Carlos Gutierrez, senior director of state government affairs for CHPA. "Law-abiding consumers oppose the prescription-only approach because it leads to significant economic burdens produced by unnecessary time off work and additional copays. Moreover, local prescription mandates are not an effective solution to address the state's meth problem. Just look at the several localities that have already passed such laws, including Jefferson and Franklin counties, where the number of meth labs has increased."

Currently, the Springfield City Council is considering legislation that would implement a prescription requirement for popular cold and allergy medicine containing pseudoephedrine within the city limits. The proposal has come under fire from residents and City Councilmembers alike who recognize it as a gross overreach of government power. Last week, Councilman Doug Burlison proposed an amendment that would bring the issue to a vote of the people, citing the need to let law-abiding residents decide on such a contentious policy. The Council is set to vote on the bill and subsequent amendment on Monday, July 29^th.

"Mandating a prescription requirement at the local level is not an effective solution to stop methamphetamine. In fact, Missouri law enforcement data from one Missouri county that has already imposed a prescription mandate shows an increase in labs. Rather than pursue a policy that would burden responsible taxpayers, Springfield leaders should focus on balanced solutions that penalize criminals, not law-abiding consumers," Gutierrez said.

Key findings from the poll (Courtesy of Magellan Strategies):

By a large margin of 62%-31%, Springfield voters oppose the proposal to require everyone who wants to buy cold or allergy medicines containing pseudoephedrine to first get a prescription from a doctor.
A significant majority (52%) say that they would "definitely vote no" on a prescription requirement for medicine containing pseudoephedrine if it was placed on the ballot.
The strongest opposition to the law is among consumers that have children ages 18 or younger, with 70% opposing the new law and 25% supporting it.

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

chpa.org

SOURCE Consumer Healthcare Products Association