Survey: Three-in-four Americans want access to pseudoephedrine
WASHINGTON – Almost three-in-four Americans want to maintain access to medicines containing pseudoephedrine, according to an Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America survey that encompassed five states in the middle of the U.S.
“The survey results are evidence that patients who need access to these medicines feel very strongly about access,” said Meryl Bloomrosen, AAFA’s SVP advocacy, policy and research. “A few states and localities have taken steps to impede people suffering from cough, cold and allergies from easily accessing the safe and effective FDA-approved therapies they rely on, and these places are greatly inconveniencing consumers.”
Across the five states, the survey found that among those using non-prescription medications to treat one or more condition:
98% who experienced cold, cough and flu symptoms, and 88% of those living with nasal allergies, purchase non-prescription medication to treat their ailments;
65% of those experiencing cold, cough, flu symptoms or nasal allergies would choose a decongestant based on a trusted brand that has previously worked for them rather than the one with the lower price;
92% of those experiencing cold, cough, flu symptoms or nasal allergies feel it is important that their full-service pharmacy offer all of the safe and effective medications available on the market, including 84% who say a full spectrum of medications available is important even if they are not currently using them;
71% of those experiencing cold, cough, flu symptoms or nasal allergies say that they somewhat or very unfavorably view pharmacies that remove medications containing PSE; and
80% of those experiencing cold, cough, flu symptoms or nasal allergies say that they would feel somewhat or very unfavorably if they need to travel to more than one retail location to purchase all of the medications they need for themselves or their family.
The survey, conducted online for AAFA by Harris Poll Jan. 14 through 26, included 2,027 users of non-prescription medicine used to treat nasal allergies, asthma and/or cold, cough or flu in Illinois, Indiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Missouri.