Calif. to debate classification of pseudoephedrine products

SACRAMENTO, Calif. The California Senate Appropriations Committee was slated to debate Tuesday Senate Bill 484, which would reclassify pseudoephedrine products as a schedule-V drug, making them only available by prescription in that state.

While California is not alone in considering pushing PSE products from their behind-the-counter status to actual prescription-only status, PSE legislation in this state has gained momentum. Prescription-only legislation also has gained traction in Missouri, according to published reports. PSE currently is prescription-only in Oregon.

“In our ongoing effort to preserve the $750 million market for OTC PSE products, [the Consumer Healthcare Products Association] and its member companies are fighting prescription bills in a number of states this year,” stated GMDC in a message to its constituents on Friday. “CHPA is working with a strong coalition, including NACDS and the California retailers and grocers associations to oppose the bill, but it is backed by the state attorney general, the state board of pharmacy and numerous law enforcement groups.”