(January 11, 2012) SB 315 (Wright; D-Inglewood), a bill that requires individuals to get a prescription for pseudoephedrine (PSE) products that are now sold over-the-counter, is the subject of the latest edition of CalChamber News.  The bill is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Health Committee this afternoon. 

According to the California Chamber of Commerce and other groups opposed to this bill, SB 315 would not only create inconvenience for consumers but would also increase the cost of health care for Californians. The products that are the subject of this bill are commonly used to treat sinus congestion and manage cold symptoms.   

The video news segment includes comments by consumers, a pharmacist, and CalChamber Healthcare Policy Advocate Marti Fisher. In the piece, consumers complain that, if enacted, the requirements in this bill would be a major inconvenience and are ridiculous. The pharmacist discusses the fact that it could result in higher costs and reduced access. CalChamber’s Fisher points out that the bill is likely to require more out-of-pocket expense for consumers. “A lot of doctors are reluctant to provide a prescription to a patient without seeing them first,” said Fisher. “And there’s generally a co-pay associated with going to your doctor, as well as a co-pay for a prescription product.”

According to CalChamber’s letter of opposition, SB 315 could make health insurance less affordable, resulting in an increased number of uninsured, and would likely impose new costs to health insurers to pay for more doctor visits and the cost of the medicine as a prescription. CalChamber further argues that SB 315 could add stress to an already overstressed primary care patient load and visits to the ER for non-emergencies.

While acknowledging that methamphetamine is a real problem in California, CalChamber believes that this is not the best solution.  According to Fisher, a better alternative is an electronic tracking system already in use by 19 other states to monitor sales.

Current law already requires retailers to restrict the quantity sold and to record information about purchasers of PSE in order to prevent illegal diversion to methamphetamine production.