Panel hears bill to raise annual pseudoephedrine cap to 61.2 grams for allergy sufferers

The House Committee on Health and Mental Health heard House Bill 10 36, sponsored by Representative Peters, which would raise Missouri’s annual per-person limit on over-the-counter products containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine from 43.2 grams to 61.2 grams, with the change to take effect Oct. 1, 2025.

Representative Peters said the original limits were adopted to curb methamphetamine production and that successful enforcement has reduced domestic meth labs substantially; he said the proposal would better serve people with seasonal or chronic allergies. Peters said the increase would give individuals more access to decongestant medicines while still tracking sales through the state’s electronic monitoring system.

Carlos Gutierrez, vice president of state government affairs for the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, testified in support and explained how the voluntary fee system works: major manufacturers currently pay per-box fees into the state’s tracking system and the bill would require smaller manufacturers to pay their share as well. Gutierrez told the committee that 61.2 grams "equals 8 and a half months supply." He said fees are assessed only on the transactions for each manufacturer’s product.

Committee members asked operational questions. Representative Dahl noted the limit increase applies to one person and could create purchasing complications in households where one adult buys medications for multiple people. Representative Peters said the change mirrors policy considered in related bills and that the contract-and-fee portion had been reviewed previously.

Witnesses in support included representatives of manufacturers and trade groups and companies that participate in the transaction-tracking system; no opposition testimony was recorded in the transcript. The committee concluded the hearing; no vote or amendment was recorded in the transcript.