Content about Decongestants

April 12, 2013

Westport talks meth-resistant pseudoephedrine Zephrex-D

Westport VP and general manager Paul Hemings spoke with DSN about the company's introduction of Zephrex-D, a meth-resistant pseudoephedrine product, to market. Beyond taking a bite out of the $23.5 billion methamphetamine trade, Hemings discussed the benefits of having Zephrex-D behind the pharmacy counter.

AUDIO Q&A: Westport VP and general manager Paul Hemings spoke with DSN about the company's introduction of Zephrex-D, a meth-resistant pseudoephedrine product, to market. Beyond taking a bite out of the $23.5 billion methamphetamine trade, Hemings discussed the benefits of having Zephrex-D behind the pharmacy counter.

April 2, 2013

Advantage Consumer Healthcare brings competitive edge with OTC focus

DSN caught up with Greg Bradley — president and CEO of Advantage Consumer Healthcare, a full turnkey solution center for over-the-counter medicines reaching the market — for an overview of the new marketing and sales solution company as it has recently brought to market OraSure Technologies' OraQuick Advance, a take-home HIV test kit that the Food and Drug Administration recently approved for the self-care market, and Westport Pharmaceuticals' Zephrex-D, a pseudoephedrine product with a unique point of differentiation.

AUDIO Q&A: DSN caught up with Greg Bradley — president and CEO of Advantage Consumer Healthcare, a full turnkey solution center for over-the-counter medicines reaching the market — for an overview of the new marketing and sales solution company as it has recently brought to market OraSure Technologies' OraQuick Advance, a take-home HIV test kit that the Food and Drug Administration recently approved for the self

April 21, 2013

Meth-resistant PSE

Westport Pharmaceuticals has been showcasing its Zephrex-D "meth-resistant" pseudoephedrine-based decongestant that is now available in retail stores throughout Missouri. It's a hot product as much for the sales generated, as for the sales not lost.

ST. LOUIS — Westport Pharmaceuticals has been showcasing its Zephrex-D "meth-resistant" pseudoephedrine-based decongestant that is now available in retail stores throughout Missouri. It's a hot product as much for the sales generated, as for the sales not lost.

April 4, 2013

Allergy Relief 2013

The March/April 2013 Allergy Relief Ingredient Guide breaks down the indication, ingredients, purpose and dosage of Claritin-D, Allegra-D, Zyrtec-D, Benadryl-D, Advil Allergy and Congestion Relief, UrgentRx Allergy Attack, Hyland's Seasonal Allergy Relief, Similasan's Nasal Allergy Relief and Boiron's Sabadil.

March 6, 2013

Nexafed gains distribution in Kerr Drug

Acura Pharmaceuticals announced that its next-generation pseudoephedrine with abuse-deterrent technology will now be stocked by North Carolina's Kerr Drug.

PALATINE, Ill. — Acura Pharmaceuticals on Tuesday announced that its next-generation pseudoephedrine with abuse-deterrent technology will now be stocked by North Carolina's Kerr Drug.

Nexafed is a 30 mg immediate-release pseudoephedrine product that combines effective nasal-congestion relief with a unique technology that disrupts the conversion of pseudoephedrine into methamphetamine, Acura noted.

March 6, 2013

Study: Prescription-only PSE legislation carries a significant cost burden

Prescription-only pseudoephedrine laws result in well more than $278 million in additional burdens to taxpayers, according to a study published by Matrix Global Advisors.

WASHINGTON — Prescription-only pseudoephedrine laws result in well more than $278 million in additional burdens to taxpayers, according to a study published by Matrix Global Advisors on Monday.

March 1, 2013

CHPA: Prescription-only PSE requirements would be burden to consumers

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association on Friday released a statement regarding a poll released last week by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

WASHINGTON — The Consumer Healthcare Products Association on Friday released a statement regarding a poll released last week by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

February 22, 2013

Patients oppose OTC-to-Rx switches for pseudoephedrine drugs, survey finds

Patients around the country "strongly" oppose laws that have been proposed to change popular OTC drugs to prescription-only, according to a new survey.

WASHINGTON — Patients around the country "strongly" oppose laws that have been proposed to change popular OTC drugs to prescription-only, according to a new survey.

The survey, conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, polled 2,020 adults in January who had asthma, allergies, cold, cough or flu in the past 12 months and who had purchased OTC drugs for at least one condition during that time.

February 15, 2013

GAO issues report on the impact PSE sales restrictions have on meth labs

According to a report filed to Congress by the Government Accountability Office on Wednesday, the seizures of methamphetamine-producing labs declined following state and federal sales restrictions on pseudoephedrine.

WASHINGTON — According to a report filed to Congress by the Government Accountability Office on Wednesday, the seizures of methamphetamine-producing labs declined following state and federal sales restrictions on pseudoephedrine. And while electronic tracking systems help enforce PSE sales limits, those efforts have not reduced meth lab incidents and have limitations related to smurfing, the GAO added.

February 1, 2013

Novartis recalls Triaminic Syrups and Theraflu Warming Relief Syrups

Novartis Consumer Health on Thursday voluntarily issued a recall of certain lots of Triaminic Syrups and Theraflu Warming Relief Syrups that were manufactured in the United States prior to Dec. 31, 2011.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Novartis Consumer Health on Thursday voluntarily issued a recall of certain lots of Triaminic Syrups and Theraflu Warming Relief Syrups that were manufactured in the United States prior to Dec. 31, 2011.

The full recall resulted from a faulty child-resistant feature of the bottle cap may not function properly, enabling the cap to be removed with the tamper-evident seal still in place.

January 29, 2013

Citizen's Petition asks that behind-the-counter status be mandated for St. John's Wort

Pharmacists Planning Services, Inc. earlier this month filed a Citizen's Petition with the Food and Drug Administration calling to move St. John's Wort, a mood enhancing supplement, behind the counter.

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — Pharmacists Planning Services, Inc. earlier this month filed a Citizen's Petition with the Food and Drug Administration calling to move St. John's Wort, a mood enhancing supplement, behind the counter.

December 27, 2012

Acura Pharmaceuticals supports launch of Nexafed PSE with pharmacist education website

In support of its December launch of the pseudoehedrine product Nexafed, Acura Pharmaceuticals recently kicked off a national e-mail campaign to help drive pharmacists to the Nexafed website with content specifically designed for the pharmacist audience, including infographics, graphic representations of study data and a behind-the-scenes look at Nexafed's abuse-deterrent technology.

PALATINE, Ill. — In support of its December launch of the pseudoehedrine product Nexafed, Acura Pharmaceuticals recently kicked off a national e-mail campaign to help drive pharmacists to the Nexafed website with content specifically designed for the pharmacist audience, including infographics, graphic representations of study data and a behind-the-scenes look at Nexafed's abuse-deterrent technology.

December 27, 2012

Ohio becomes 25th state to adopt NPLEx

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association last week applauded Ohio Gov. John Kasich for signing into law House Bill 334, an anti-methamphetamine bill authored by Reps. Terry Johnson, R-Portsmouth, and Danny Bubp, R-West Union.

WASHINGTON — The Consumer Healthcare Products Association last week applauded Ohio Gov. John Kasich for signing into law House Bill 334, an anti-methamphetamine bill authored by Reps. Terry Johnson, R-Portsmouth, and Danny Bupb, R-West Union. With the new law, Ohio now becomes the 25th state to adopt real-time, stop-sale technology known as the National Precursor Log Exchange.

December 4, 2012

Westport Pharmaceuticals launches Zephrex-D, a tamper-resistant PSE formulation

Westport Pharmaceuticals on Tuesday launched Zephrex-D, a tamper-resistant pseudoephedrine-based decongestant that is now available in retail stores throughout the St. Louis region and the state of Missouri.

ST. LOUIS – Westport Pharmaceuticals on Tuesday launched Zephrex-D, a tamper-resistant pseudoephedrine-based decongestant that now is available in retail stores throughout the St. Louis region and the state of Missouri.

November 20, 2012

Kentucky initiates awareness campaign around 'smurfing' of PSE products

Gov. Steve Beshear on Monday announced the launch of a privately funded, statewide campaign aimed at increasing public awareness about "smurfing," the illegal process of buying products containing pseudoephedrine on behalf of methamphetamine criminals.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Gov. Steve Beshear on Monday announced the launch of a privately funded, statewide campaign aimed at increasing public awareness about "smurfing," the illegal process of buying products containing pseudoephedrine on behalf of methamphetamine criminals. The goal of the Anti-Smurfing Campaign is to inform potential smurfers and the general public — through signage displayed at pharmacy sales counters — that smurfing is a serious criminal offense that can result in criminal charges and possibly time in jail.

November 15, 2012

ReportersNotebook — Over the Counter, 11/19/12

Acura Pharmaceuticals in December will launch an immediate-release pseudoephedrine tablet under the brand name Nexafed that will help impede conversion of the tablets into methamphetamine.

SUPPLIER NEWS — Acura Pharmaceuticals in December will launch an immediate-release pseudoephedrine tablet under the brand name Nexafed that will help impede conversion of the tablets into methamphetamine. Couched as the “next generation pseudoephedrine product,” Nexafed is a 30 mg PSE hydrochloride tablet that utilizes Acura’s trademarked Impede technology.  

November 8, 2012

Acura Pharmaceuticals moves forward with plans to launch diversion-hindering PSE product

Acura Pharmaceuticals on Wednesday shared with analysts details on its launch strategy of Nexafed, a pseudoephedrine formulated such that in inhibits the diversion to methamphetamnine.

PALATINE, Ill. — Acura Pharmaceuticals on Wednesday shared with analysts details on its launch strategy of Nexafed, a pseudoephedrine formulated such that it inhibits the diversion to methamphetamnine.

October 29, 2012

Acura Pharmaceuticals introduces PSE product that will be less attractive to 'meth cooks'

Acura Pharmaceuticals in December will launch an immediate-release pseudoephedrine tablet under the brand name Nexafed that will help impede conversion of the tablets into methamphetamine.

PALATINE, Ill. — Acura Pharmaceuticals in December will launch an immediate-release pseudoephedrine tablet under the brand name Nexafed that will help impede conversion of the tablets into methamphetamine. Couched as the "next generation pseudoephedrine product," Nexafed is a 30-mg PSE hydrochloride tablet that utilizes Acura's trademarked Impede technology.

June 21, 2012

Divergent pathways in switch paradigm

While the picture of a new Rx-to-OTC switch paradigm is being painted with a broad stroke brush, already there are two divergent pathways emerging around what that new paradigm landscape might look like.  

OTC manufacturers have been framing the new paradigm within the existing two-drug-class system, suggesting that the diagnostic tools that already are available in the marketplace significantly could help expand which medicines are considered appropriate in the OTC space. 

Retail pharmacists, on the other hand, are advocating for the creation of a third class of drugs. 

June 21, 2012

PSE restriction, OTCS in FSAs  remain focus of legislation

Currently there are two overarching legislative issues that either threaten to place greater restrictions on certain over-the-counter medicines or fail to restore access to an OTC benefit that once played a significant role in helping develop interest in the flexible spending account plans available today. 

May 3, 2012

CHPA releases update on latest PSE legislation

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association on Thursday provided an update around pseudoephedrine legislation in its "CHPA Executive Newsletter," which is published monthly.

WASHINGTON — The Consumer Healthcare Products Association on Thursday provided an update around pseudoephedrine legislation in its "CHPA Executive Newsletter," which is published monthly.

A bill supporting the use of the National Precursor Log Exchange is scheduled to be heard by Colorado's Senate Judiciary Committee on May 4 following a House vote of 50-14 to pass the bill.

In Hawaii, a bill to adopt NPLEx is awaiting Gov. Neil Abercrombie's signature. If signed, Hawaii would become the 22nd NPLEx state.

April 9, 2012

Idaho joins National Precursor Log Exchange in its fight against PSE diversion

Idaho on Monday became state No. 21 to adopt the real-time, stop-sale technology National Precursor Log Exchange in its battle against the diversion of the cough-cold ingredient pseudoephedrine to methamphetamine.

WASHINGTON — Idaho on Monday became state No. 21 to adopt the real-time, stop-sale technology National Precursor Log Exchange in its battle against the diversion of the cough-cold ingredient pseudoephedrine to methamphetamine.

March 13, 2012

West Virginia adopts NPLEx system

West Virginia has become the 19th state to require pharmacists and other retailers to be connected through the National Precursor Log Exchange system with the passage of legislation that requires real-time, stop-sale technology to enable the state's pharmacists to block illegal pseudoephedrine purchases right at the point of sale and provide law enforcement with up-to-the minute criminal data.

WASHINGTON — West Virginia has become the 19th state to require pharmacists and other retailers to be connected through the National Precursor Log Exchange system with the passage of legislation that requires real-time, stop-sale technology to enable the state's pharmacists to block illegal pseudoephedrine purchases right at the point of sale and provide law enforcement with up-to-the minute criminal data.

February 22, 2012

Study: Prescription-only PSE laws have no impact on number of meth labs, meth abusers

Prescription-only pseudoephedrine regulation has no impact on the methamphetamine trade, according to a Cascade Policy Institute study on the 2005 Oregon law, which restricts access to medicines containing pseudoephedrine.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Prescription-only pseudoephedrine regulation has no impact on the methamphetamine trade, according to a Cascade Policy Institute study on the 2005 Oregon law, which restricts access to medicines containing pseudoephedrine.

February 17, 2012

Oklahoma impact study: Rx-PSE would increase health costs without reducing meth issue

According to a report prepared last month by the Economic Impact Group discerning the impact prescription-only pseudoephedrine would have on Oklahoma citizens, prescription-only PSE would result in almost 300,000 additional doctor's office visits at an estimated cost reaching $60 million; $6 million would be directly borne by consumers.

EDMOND Okla. — According to a report prepared last month by the Economic Impact Group discerning the impact prescription-only pseudoephedrine would have on Oklahoma citizens, prescription-only PSE would result in almost 300,000 additional doctor's office visits at an estimated cost reaching $60 million; $6 million would be directly borne by consumers.