House passes resolution prohibiting distribution of dextromethorphan

The U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Energy and Commerce on Thursday passed H.R. 970, the Dextromethorphan Distribution Act of 2007, which prohibits the distribution of raw dextromethorphan, an active ingredient commonly found in over-the-counter cough medicines, to any person other than Food and Drug Administration-registered drug manufacturers.

“CHPA commends the House Energy and Commerce Committee for its commitment to seeing this important initiative passed into law,” stated Linda Suydam, president of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, which supported the bill. “We are hopeful that this legislation will soon move to the House floor for consideration, where in the previous session passed this initiative by voice vote without opposition,” she said.

Passing of this legislation will not slow CHPA’s public relations efforts around raising awareness of teenage drug abuse. “While consideration of this legislation is a major step forward in protecting teens from the dangers of raw, unfinished dextromethorphan abuse, we continue to work to help prevent the abuse of dextromethorphan in its finished form of OTC cough medicine,” Suydam said. “The makers of OTC medicines are spearheading a major campaign to raise awareness about dextromethorphan abuse, and we are working with the Partnership for a Drug-Free America and the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America in these efforts. We are committed to educating and empowering parents to take responsibility and action by informing their children of the dangers of abusing safe and legal household products.”

This legislation is now pending consideration by the full U.S. House of Representatives. A companion bill, S. 1378, has been introduced by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.