(WASHINGTON, D.C.) — The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), the trade association representing the leading manufacturers and marketers of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, released the following statement today in support of a Delaware law prohibiting the sale of OTC medicines containing the cough suppressant dextromethorphan (DXM) to minors. Delaware is the twelfth state to pass a law addressing the issue of cough medicine abuse among teens.
“CHPA thanks Governor Jack Markell for signing the bill into law and Representative David Bentz and Senator Nicole Poore for shepherding the bill through the legislative process,” CHPA President and CEO Scott Melville said.
“CHPA has long supported state efforts to curb teen OTC cough medicine abuse and has worked to increase parental awareness through its StopMedicineAbuse.org campaign. This bill will further allow parents to prevent abuse among teens, while continuing to ensure access for the millions of adults and families who responsibly use products containing DXM to relieve common cough symptoms.”
According to the 2015 National Institute on Drug Abuse’s (NIDA’s) annual Monitoring the Future survey, one in 30 teens abuses OTC cough medicine containing DXM to get high. To learn more about the side effects of DXM abuse and to obtain access to toolkits, brochures, and other educational materials for parents and community leaders, visit StopMedicineAbuse.org.
