Delaware latest state to prohibit minors from buying DXM

WASHINGTON— The Consumer Healthcare Products Association on Monday commended Delaware Gov. Jack Markell for signing into law a bill prohibiting the sale of OTC medicines containing the cough suppressant dextromethorphan to minors.

Delaware becomes the 12th state to pass a law addressing the issue of cough medicine abuse among teens, CHPA noted.

“CHPA thanks Governor Jack Markell for signing the bill into law and Representative David Bentz and Senator Nicole Poore for shepherding the bill through the legislative process,” stated Scott Melville, president and CEO CHPA. “CHPA has long supported state efforts to curb teen OTC cough medicine abuse and has worked to increase parental awareness through its StopMedicineAbuse.org campaign. This bill will further allow parents to prevent abuse among teens, while continuing to ensure access for the millions of adults and families who responsibly use products containing DXM to relieve common cough symptoms.”

According to the 2015 National Institute on Drug Abuse’s annual Monitoring the Future survey, one in 30 teens abuses OTC cough medicine containing DXM to get high.