PSE (Pseudoephedrine)

Pseudoephedrine (PSE) is a safe and effective active ingredient found in leading cold, allergy, and sinus medicines to provide congestion relief. While over 18 million American families rely on these medicines every year, PSE can also be used in the illegal manufacture of methamphetamine. As a result, some policymakers and law enforcement officials in a number of states support requiring a doctor’s prescription to obtain PSE-containing medicines, even though the vast majority of these medicines are sold to law-abiding consumers.

Preventing Illegal Meth Production

CHPA takes the diversion of its members' medicines very seriously and remains committed to working with elected officials to ensure states have the necessary tools to combat illegal sales of PSE. Mandating prescription-only sale of these common cold medicines, however, would be ineffective and burden those who depend on these medicines for relief with unnecessary and costly visits to the doctor.

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Pseudoephedrine in the States

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.

Mississippi Repeals PSE Bill

The new law returns PSE to OTC status allowing consumers to purchase 3.6 grams of PSE per day, up to 7.2 grams per month.

Mar 17, 2021

Browse PSE (Pseudoephedrine) Content

patient at pharmacy counter

Press Releases and Statements

Major Victory for Consumer Access to OTC Medicine in Mississippi

In a major victory for consumer health, today Mississippi has repealed an 11-year-old law that banned over-the-counter (OTC) sales of certain medicines for colds and allergies containing the decongestant pseudoephedrine (PSE).

Mar 17, 2021

Video

Mississippi Repeals PSE Bill

The new law returns PSE to OTC status allowing consumers to purchase 3.6 grams of PSE per day, up to 7.2 grams per month.

Mar 17, 2021

two flasks and a beaker on a table in a lab

Submission

Comments to DEA: Quotas for Controlled Substances and List I Chemicals

The DEA invited comments on the proposed rule to revise existing regulations that manage quotas for controlled substances and List I chemicals held by DEA-registered manufacturers. We have comments on three areas within the proposed rule.

Dec 23, 2019

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Research Reports

Summary and Statutes of State Pseudoephedrine Sales Restrictions

State by state listing of PSE sales restrictions.

Aug 1, 2018

New Hampshire State Capitol

Press Releases and Statements

New Hampshire Adopts Real-Time, Stop-Sale, Retail Tech to Prevent Illegal Sales of Pseudoephedrine

CHPA applauds New Hampshire for becoming the 35th state to adopt the real-time, stop-sale technology called the National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx), a system used by retailers across the country to help prevent the illegal sale of pseudoephedrine.

Jun 7, 2018

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Press Releases and Statements

CHPA Applauds Georgia's Adoption of Real-Time, Stop Sale Technology to Prevent Illegal Sales of Pseudoephedrine

CHPA applauds the state of Georgia for becoming the thirty-third state to adopt the real-time, stop-sale technology called the National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx).

Apr 28, 2016

Orange CHPA logo on dark blue background

Press Releases and Statements

CHPA Highlights Recent Five-State Survey from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation

CHPA highlights the results of a recent five-state survey from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, which found that consumers on the whole, prefer full access to OTC medicine containing pseudoephedrine.

Jul 22, 2015

Pharmacist with long dark hair assisting customer in dark green shirt

Articles

Real-Time Stop-Sale Technology

So far, 31 states have adopted real-time, stop-sale technology. The blocking technology monitors all nonprescription PSE purchases in real-time to prevent meth criminals from exceeding legal limits.

Mar 31, 2014

meth crystals in a plastic bag on a dark background

Submission

OTC Industry Calls on Congress to Toughen Combat Meth Act

Today, the manufacturers of OTC medicines containing pseudoephedrine call on Congress to improve the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act by requiring a unified, national electronic tracking system to block illegal sales of PSE‐containing medicines.

Apr 13, 2010

Orange CHPA logo on dark blue background

Submission

Comments to DEA: List I Chemical Registration and Reregistration Application Fees

Letter from the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, the Food Marketing Institute, the Healthcare Distribution Management Association, and the National Association of Chain Drugstores regarding controlled substances and Lis I chemical registration application fees.

Jan 17, 2006

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