Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Advances Matsui-Johnson DXM Abuse Prevention Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
4/20/2016

Contact:

Congresswoman Matsui: Lauren Dart, 202-225-7163

Congressman Bill Johnson: Ben Keeler, 330- 337-6951

Energy andamp; Commerce Health Subcommittee Advances Matsui-Johnson DXM Abuse Prevention Act

Health Subcommittee Unanimously Sends H.R. 3250 to Full Committee

Today, the House Energy andamp; Commerce Health Subcommittee unanimously approved H.R. 3250, the DXM Abuse Prevention Act of 2015. The bipartisan legislation, co-authored by Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Congressman Bill Johnson (R-OH), builds on momentum and advocacy efforts in states by restricting the sale of products with DXM to adults over age 18 nationwide.

"This bill is a common sense way to ensure cough medicine remains accessible to those that use it appropriately, and inaccessible to those who seek to abuse it," said Congresswoman Matsui. "With the help of advocates, retailers, and manufacturers nationwide, we've already made tremendous progress in curbing the abuse of DXM by teens. By creating a national standard, we build on this progress, and protect the health and well-being of teens across the country."

"Cough and cold medicines containing dextromethorphan can pose a danger primarily because of their easy availability to those under age 18. Unfortunately, many parents are not even aware of this growing problem," said Congressman Johnson. "This legislation is an important, bipartisan, and common sense effort that comes full circle and builds on the important work of states and stakeholders to date. Children in every community across the United States should have the opportunity to live healthy, drug-free lives. This bill is one more step towards that goal."

"One in 30 teens abuse OTC cough medicine to get high, and a national law prohibiting the sale of DXM to minors would stop teens from purchasing the medicine with the intent to abuse as well as raise community awareness about this problem. Our industry thanks Congressman Johnson and Congresswoman Matsui for their leadership and commitment to this issue. We look forward to continuing our work with Congress to move this bill on its path to passage."- Scott Melville, President and CEO, Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA)

"The Partnership has worked closely with the Consumer Healthcare Products Association on a multi-pronged approach to reducing teen abuse of over-the-counter cough and cold medicine. In combination with teen and parent-targeted prevention programs, the effort to age-restrict access to OTC cough and cold medicine at retail to is an important component of this approach, and is likely playing a role in the declines in teen cough and cold medicine abuse that have been documented over the past four years. The Partnership supports this effort."- Sean Clarkin, Executive Vice President, Research and External Relations, the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

"Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) applauds the fact that HR 3250, a bill to prevent the misuse of DXM is finally being marked up in the House today. CADCA and itand#39;s 5,000 members nationwide are very pleased to see this important legislation moving forward, as it will help protect those under 18 years of age from accessing over the counter drugs containing this ingredient, which unfortunately has been subject to misuse by young teens."- General Arthur T. Dean, Chairman andamp; CEO, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA)

DXM is a cough suppressant originally approved by FDA in 1958 and found in over one hundred over-the-counter cough and cold medicines. Each year, millions of Americans use medication with DXM appropriately to combat colds and coughs. Yet, according to a 2015 study, 1 in 30 teens between the ages of 13 and 17 admitted to abusing DXM. According to the FDA, abuse of DXM can cause brain damage, seizure, loss of consciousness, irregular heartbeat, and death. Ten states have passed legislation restricting sales of DXM to individuals age 18 and under. Through these efforts, abuse has been reduced from nearly 5.5% of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders in 2006 to 3% in 2015. The DXM Abuse Prevention Act restricts the sale of products with DXM to adults over age 18 nationwide.

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