Industry Roundup: DXM Bill Moves, CHPA Biz Dev VP, Neurobrands Injunction

The DXM Abuse Prevention Act of 2015, HR 3250, receives voice-vote approval by the House Subcommittee on Health on April 20, pushing it forward for consideration by the Energy and Commerce Committee. Authored by committee members Reps. Bill Johnson, R-OH, and Doris Matsui, D-CA, HR 3250 would prohibit sales of OTC cough medicines containing dextromethorphan to consumers under 18 unless by prescription or the person is active-duty military, and would also limit bulk sales of DXM. The legislation, referred to Energy and Commerce in July, is the latest in a nearly decade-long line of similar bills that have eventually stalled in the Senate ([A#05150803010]).

Frederick, Md.-based BioElectronics Corp.'s claims in a TV ad for its ActiPatch relied on randomized controlled trials with too few subjects, says the Advertising Standards Authority. The ad, which appeared in July 2015, featured a testimonial from a woman who said use of the patch “changed her life” after a painful shoulder injury. However, the three RCTs the ad noted contained small numbers of subjects, according to ASA's decision published April 20. The first involved 66 patients with osteoarthritis and showed reduction in pain intensity; the second, on 70 patients with plantar fasciitis, was less clear in showing pain relief; and the last one showed pain reduction in 91 women with dysmenorrhea