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Access to Medicines That Have Pseudoephedrine

AAFA took a new poll that shows that people in the U.S. do not like proposed laws that would change how you can buy pseudoephedrine (PSE).

Pseudoephedrine is a popular over-the-counter drug used for nasal congestion. New laws would change it to a prescription-only medicine.

Nasal allergies affect about 50 million people in the U.S.1 Respiratory diseases, like asthma, take a toll on public health. They can cost billions of dollars in health expenses, lower quality of life and lower work and school performance. Asthma and some allergies can also cause life-threatening reactions.

Patients Want Access

AAFA’s 2010 and 2013 national PSE polls showed that most asthma, allergy, cold and flu patients do not like the proposed laws.

AAFA and Harris Interactive did another study in 2015 in five states:

  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Missouri
  • Oklahoma
  • Tennessee

About the 2015 Survey Update

AAFA surveyed 2,027 U.S. adults age 18 and older. The people in this survey bought over-the-counter medicine for cold, cough, flu, asthma and/or nasal allergies in the last 12 months. The results showed that most patients want access to over-the-counter medicines that have PSE.

Allergy Capitals

Your location can have an impact on your seasonal allergies. AAFA’s Allergy Capitals™ report looks at the top 100 most challenging cities in the continental United States to live with seasonal pollen allergies.

Read the Report>