Posts Tagged cold medicine abuse

In Kentucky, politicians are backing up a legislation which requires a doctor’s prescription before consumers can buy some common cold medications. This is to keep away a key ingredient from the hands of meth makers that have abused this leniency in the purchase of common cold medicines.

This bill has gained large support in the legislature despite protests from industry groups, like the Consumer Healthcare Products Association and Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, the newly seated chairman of the powerful House Appropriations and Revenue Committee and is also a longtime leader in the fight against drugs in Appalachian region, campaigned for state lawmakers to stand up against pharmaceutical companies that “are fighting tooth and nail” to keep from passing this bill. “This bill is not about eliminating cold medications. It’s about saving lives” he said.

As always, there are two sides in every story. Last Thursday, while Kentucky’s congressional delegation came up with the proposal, a wife of an alleged congressman says the bill will only work for the privileged, and most poor people would have to spend more in treating a common cold. “This legislation is punishing all Kentuckians for the crimes of a few,” said Pat Davis, wife of U.S. Rep. Geoff Davis.

Davis called for the non-passing of the bill because it would mean higher costs for poor families to treat a simple cold. If the bill pushes through, the added cost of acquiring a doctor’s prescription would be another burden in purchasing medication that is supposed to be available over-the-counter.