Publications

Today, common over the counter (OTC) contraceptives are affordable, readily accessible, and they play critical roles in reducing unintended pregnancies. Some of today’s most common forms of OTC birth control include male and female condoms, spermicides, birth control sponges, and emergency contraception.

Whether a product is regulated as a cosmetic or a drug (or both) under federal law is determined by a product's intended use. Products having both cosmetic and drug intended uses (typically defined by claims made on product labeling) include, for example, anti-dandruff shampoo, a fluoride-containing whitening toothpaste, and a skin moisturizer containing sunscreen active ingredients. These products are always required to display an OTC Drug Facts label.

As state lawmakers continue to explore expanded responsibility for producers of products, a policy known as extended producer responsibility (EPR), it is likely manufacturer funded drug take-back laws will continue to be probed throughout the country.

In 1986, California voters overwhelmingly approved the State Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, commonly known as Proposition (Prop) 65. Prop 65 was designed to safeguard the state’s drinking water against chemicals known to the state to harm humans by requiring industry to inform Californians about exposures to such chemicals within the products or services they provide for sale to the public.

OTC medical devices like bandages, menstrual products, face masks, and at-home test kits, used for the purposes of prevention, testing, and treatment are well-accepted, cost saving elements of the healthcare system. Unfortunately, most states that have a retail sales tax, include a tax on the sale of some or all OTC healthcare products. More than 40 states, on the other hand, exempt sales tax of prescription drugs.

Despite the critical role sunscreens play in a healthy self-care routine, some state lawmakers are working to restrict sales of chemical sunscreens and key ingredients due to perceived environmental and human health impacts.

Companies with varied self-care industry expertise*

In recent years, several states have taken proactive steps to address plastic pollution and promote sustainability by implementing post-consumer recycled (PCR) content mandates for packaging. These laws require manufacturers to incorporate a minimum percentage of recycled materials in their packaging products.

In recent years, the issue of consumer data privacy has become increasingly important as technology continues to advance, and more personal information is collected and shared online. Despite the growing concerns over data privacy, the federal government has yet to enact comprehensive legislation addressing the issue. This lack of federal action has prompted many states to take matters into their own hands and introduce their own data privacy laws to protect their residents.

In this episode, Health In Hand Foundation Executive Director Mary Leonard and PatientPoint's Chief Client Officer Linda Ruschau discuss the importance of education to drive empowerment and informed decision-making.