Buckeye Reporter

Sens. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) have introduced new legislation aimed at making it easier for certain prescription drugs to become available over the counter. The bill, known as the Streamlined Market Access and Reform for Therapeutics Over-the-Counter (SMART OTC) Act, seeks to modernize the Food and Drug Administration’s process for approving such changes.

“Ohioans deserve access to affordable, high-quality health care. That’s why I introduced a bill to cut unnecessary FDA barriers and make proven, over-the-counter medicines more accessible—helping lower costs and improve health for families across our state,” said Husted.

Hassan emphasized the impact on patients facing high drug prices. “As Americans face sky-high costs, including for prescription drugs, this bipartisan legislation will help increase patient access to low-cost medications by requiring the FDA to more clearly communicate the agency’s process for switching medications from prescription to nonprescription status. I’ll continue to work with my colleagues across the aisle to lower health care costs for Granite Staters and ensure that families across the country can access the lifesaving care that they need,” she said.

The lawmakers point out that rising health care expenses are partly due to safe medications remaining behind prescription counters. They note that each dollar spent on over-the-counter medicines is estimated to save $7.33 in overall U.S. health care system costs.

The SMART OTC Act continues Husted’s focus on expanding access to high-quality health care in Ohio. The full text of the bill is available online.