WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) released the results of a recent poll of registered voters in Michigan showing Michiganders are strongly opposed to legislation that would require a prescription for over-the-counter (OTC) cold and allergy medicines containing pseudoephedrine (PSE). The researchers found that:
"Across the country, state legislatures have rejected attempts to burden consumers by unnecessarily restricting access to safe and effective OTC cold and allergy medicine containing PSE, such as Sudafed and Claritin-D," added Gutiérrez. "According to a recent report from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, 99.8 percent of the meth in the United States comes from Mexico. It is important to recognize that fact as state legislators consider restricting medicines with PSE and that punishing Michigan families with unfair restrictions has proven to be an ineffective way to combat the meth scourge."
"A main priority for pharmacists is to make sure that patients have access to the medications they need to feel healthy and well. Common cold and allergy medications that have been proven safe by the FDA are easily accessible and readily available and are essential to treating patients effectively," said Larry Wagenknecht, R.Ph., chief executive officer of the Michigan Pharmacists Association. "The results of this poll demonstrate that patients expect access to medication from pharmacists to improve their quality of care. Patients do not want to have to jump through extra hoops or incur additional expenses to acquire medications that they have been accustomed to using to treat their minor colds and allergies."
"For over 40 years, patients have been able to access medications through the help of their trusted pharmacist," added Wagenknecht. "The Michigan Pharmacists Association supports efforts to stop illegal activity such as methamphetamine production with the use of these products, but the access to effective medications should not be limited for most of Michigan citizens to accomplish this goal."
"This poll demonstrates that a strong majority of our customers do not want to be forced to visit a doctor to gain access to medicine that has been available over-the-counter for over 40 years," said Amy Drumm, Michigan Retailers Association's Vice President of Government Affairs. "We strongly support efforts to stop meth production in Michigan but the solutions should be focused on targeting the criminal element that makes the drug, not honest cold and allergy sufferers."
The telephone survey was conducted by Basswood Research, November 12-14, 2016, and included 600 registered voters living in Michigan. The survey margin of error was +/-4% at a 95% confidence interval, and data were weighted to reflect actual voting patterns in the state.
The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) is the 136-year-old national trade association representing the leading manufacturers and marketers of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and dietary supplements. CHPA is committed to empowering self-care by preserving and expanding choice and availability of consumer healthcare products. www.chpa.org
Advertisement
- Nearly two-thirds of respondents (65%) treat colds and congestion with medication, and six out of seven of them (86%) use non-prescription (OTC) medication.
- Nearly two-thirds of respondents (62%) treat allergies with medication, and four out of five of them (80%) use non-prescription medication.
- Nearly seven out of 10 respondents (67%) oppose requiring a prescription for OTC cold and allergy medication containing PSE.
Advertisement
"Across the country, state legislatures have rejected attempts to burden consumers by unnecessarily restricting access to safe and effective OTC cold and allergy medicine containing PSE, such as Sudafed and Claritin-D," added Gutiérrez. "According to a recent report from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, 99.8 percent of the meth in the United States comes from Mexico. It is important to recognize that fact as state legislators consider restricting medicines with PSE and that punishing Michigan families with unfair restrictions has proven to be an ineffective way to combat the meth scourge."
"A main priority for pharmacists is to make sure that patients have access to the medications they need to feel healthy and well. Common cold and allergy medications that have been proven safe by the FDA are easily accessible and readily available and are essential to treating patients effectively," said Larry Wagenknecht, R.Ph., chief executive officer of the Michigan Pharmacists Association. "The results of this poll demonstrate that patients expect access to medication from pharmacists to improve their quality of care. Patients do not want to have to jump through extra hoops or incur additional expenses to acquire medications that they have been accustomed to using to treat their minor colds and allergies."
"For over 40 years, patients have been able to access medications through the help of their trusted pharmacist," added Wagenknecht. "The Michigan Pharmacists Association supports efforts to stop illegal activity such as methamphetamine production with the use of these products, but the access to effective medications should not be limited for most of Michigan citizens to accomplish this goal."
"This poll demonstrates that a strong majority of our customers do not want to be forced to visit a doctor to gain access to medicine that has been available over-the-counter for over 40 years," said Amy Drumm, Michigan Retailers Association's Vice President of Government Affairs. "We strongly support efforts to stop meth production in Michigan but the solutions should be focused on targeting the criminal element that makes the drug, not honest cold and allergy sufferers."
The telephone survey was conducted by Basswood Research, November 12-14, 2016, and included 600 registered voters living in Michigan. The survey margin of error was +/-4% at a 95% confidence interval, and data were weighted to reflect actual voting patterns in the state.
The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) is the 136-year-old national trade association representing the leading manufacturers and marketers of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and dietary supplements. CHPA is committed to empowering self-care by preserving and expanding choice and availability of consumer healthcare products. www.chpa.org
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/poll-shows-widespread-opposition-to-prescription-requirement-for-pse-in-michigan-300393462.html
SOURCE Consumer Healthcare Products Association
