CHPA Policy On Dextromethorphan Age Restriction Under Development

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association board will meet later this month to define its position on legislation that would restrict sales of dextromethorphan (DXM) products to minors.

The trade group's policy currently is not to oppose such laws, which are designed to prevent recreational abuse of products containing the cough suppressant ingredient.

The association's board will consider other strategies, including actively supporting legislation barring sales to individuals under 18, at a June 29 meeting.

A California bill introduced in February would prohibit sale of dextromethorphan products to minors. Similar bills have been sponsored in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

The policy under development will be part of a broader effort from CHPA to address growing concerns about DXM abuse.

FDA recently drew greater attention to dextromethorphan with a May 20 "Talk Paper" that cited deaths of teenagers related to abuse of the bulk powder form of the ingredient (¹ (Also see "FDA Dextromethorphan Advisory Marks Growing Concern Over Abuse" - Pink Sheet, 30 May, 2005.), p. 3).

Consumer products containing DXM also are subject to abuse. Brands include GlaxoSmithKline's Contac , Schering-Plough's Coricidin and Wyeth's Robitussin DM .

The bulk powder is frequently obtained through Internet vendors.

To address this problem, CHPA is lobbying for legislation that would ban the sale of bulk dextromethorphan powder to individuals or entities not registered with the FDA.

The group is circulating a proposal on Capitol Hill and has gotten the attention of lawmakers from Washington and Florida, where several of the deaths occurred. The proposal has already elicited positive feedback from legislators, according to CHPA.

In the meantime, the group is expanding its existing educational program, developed with the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, and expects to launch the enhanced initiative this summer.