In Brief

The Senate’s fiscal 2014 budget resolution includes an amendment in support of restoring consumers’ ability to purchase OTC drugs with tax-advantaged spending accounts. Amendment 624, proposed by Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., was agreed to by voice vote March 23 during a marathon session in which the Senate approved the budget resolution in a 50-49 vote. The measure was previously introduced in legislation by Johanns and Rep. Erik Paulsen, R-Minn., to roll back the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requirement that consumers get a prescription before being eligible to purchase OTCs with a flexible spending or health savings account. Though the budget resolution sets priorities for federal spending and does not establish appropriation levels, the acceptance of Johanns’ amendment “sent a strong bipartisan message that there is support for improvements to the ACA that enhance cost efficiency in the health care system and respect consumer decisions,” said John Gay, VP of government affairs for the Consumer Healthcare Products Association. Previous legislative attempts to restore pre-tax OTC purchases have stalled Also see "Supreme Court Routes OTC Health Savings Battle Back To Congress" - Pink Sheet, 2 July, 2012..

Consumer health care product developer infirst Healthcare secures an investment of about $38 million (£25 million) to help fund the...