New Federal Legislation Can Help Combat Teen Cough Medicine Abuse
Jul 11, 2012
The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) recently applauded the actions of U.S. Senators Bob Casey and Lisa Murkowski, who introduced legislation aimed at helping combat teen cough medicine abuse. The Preventing Abuse of Cough Treatments (PACT) Act of 2012would prohibit the sale of over-the-counter cough medicines containing the cough suppressant dextromethorphan (DXM) to teens under the age of 18.
DXM is a safe, effective cough suppressant present in 100+ cough and cold medicines. Millions of Americans count on medicines containing DXM to relieve their cough and cold symptoms, but there is also the potential for abuse. The 2011 National Institute on Drug Abuse’s Monitoring the Future survey found that approximately 5% of teenagers in grades 8-12 report having abused medicines that contain DXM, sometimes ingesting as much as 25 or more times the recommended dose to get high.
“This legislation… will give parents an additional tool to prevent abuse, while ensuring access for the millions of adults and families who responsibly use products containing DXM to relieve cough symptoms,” CHPA President and CEO Scott M. Melville said.
Learn more: Dextromethorphan
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Consumer Healthcare Products Association