OTC Medicines

Find information about the classes of drugs available in the United States and how uniformity is enforced across state lines.

While a small select group have raised concerns about certain sunscreen ingredients, banning or restricting common UV filters could negatively impact public health.

The bipartisan federal Combat Meth Epidemic Act strikes the proper policy balance between restricting pseudoephedrine access for illicit use without unduly burdening consumers seeking safe, effective cold relief. Therefore, state legislators should refrain from overriding federal guidelines requiring prescriptions for these legitimate over-the-counter medications.

CHPA is instrumental in shaping the policy and regulatory environment in the OTC medicine, dietary supplement, and OTC medical device industries.

Lawmakers should refrain from imposing unnecessary restrictions limiting consumer purchase quantities or behind-the-counter placement for loperamide, as leading manufacturers have already implemented package adjustments to limit potential abuse of these medications by consumers.

Ingredients & Dosages Transferred from Rx-to-OTC Status (or New OTC Approvals) by the Food and Drug Administration Since 1975.