Sine-Off First Cold Medicine to Completely Remove Pseudoephedrine
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Sine-Off has become the first -- and so far only -- brand of cold, cough, flu, and sinus medicine to entirely remove pseudoephedrine from all of its products in time for the 2005-2006 cold and flu season.
The move was in response to recent state laws restricting sales of medications containing pseudoephedrine, an essential ingredient in the production of illegal methamphetamine, known by its street name, meth.
By substituting phenylephrine for pseudoephedrine, the maker of Sine-Off said it has made its products safe from potential meth conversion. To cut down on meth abuse, many states now require shoppers to buy pseudoephedrine-containing medicine from the pharmacy counter in specified limited quantities, and only after showing proof of identification. The reformulated products, which launched Sept. 1, will allow consumers to purchase as much Sine-Off as they need right from store shelves anywhere in the United States.
Additionally, parent company Hogil Pharmaceutical Corp.'s Sine-Off Charitable Foundation said yesterday that it would provide an unrestricted educational grant to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America to support the anti-meth education campaigns the New York-based private, nonprofit coalition of professionals from the communications industry holds across the country.
"At Sine-Off we are committed to doing more for our customers than simply alleviating symptoms. We want to do our part in helping to make Americans aware of the dangers of methamphetamine use and to help the victims of meth abuse," said Sine-Off president David Trager in a statement. "This is only the beginning of our efforts." Spokesman Sean Evans told Progressive Grocer that upcoming company initiatives include working to ensure that a portion of proceeds from sales of Sine-Off products in local markets go to area anti-drug charities. Hogil plans to disclose the actual dollar amount earmarked for these local organizations after the current cold and flu season ends.
Sine-Off, a cold, cough, flu, and sinus brand for over 35 years, is available at CVS, Eckerd/Brooks, Kmart, Wegmans, Fred Meyer, Longs, Harris Teeter, Kerr Drug, Fred's, Family Dollar, among many other food and drug retailers.
The move was in response to recent state laws restricting sales of medications containing pseudoephedrine, an essential ingredient in the production of illegal methamphetamine, known by its street name, meth.
By substituting phenylephrine for pseudoephedrine, the maker of Sine-Off said it has made its products safe from potential meth conversion. To cut down on meth abuse, many states now require shoppers to buy pseudoephedrine-containing medicine from the pharmacy counter in specified limited quantities, and only after showing proof of identification. The reformulated products, which launched Sept. 1, will allow consumers to purchase as much Sine-Off as they need right from store shelves anywhere in the United States.
Additionally, parent company Hogil Pharmaceutical Corp.'s Sine-Off Charitable Foundation said yesterday that it would provide an unrestricted educational grant to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America to support the anti-meth education campaigns the New York-based private, nonprofit coalition of professionals from the communications industry holds across the country.
"At Sine-Off we are committed to doing more for our customers than simply alleviating symptoms. We want to do our part in helping to make Americans aware of the dangers of methamphetamine use and to help the victims of meth abuse," said Sine-Off president David Trager in a statement. "This is only the beginning of our efforts." Spokesman Sean Evans told Progressive Grocer that upcoming company initiatives include working to ensure that a portion of proceeds from sales of Sine-Off products in local markets go to area anti-drug charities. Hogil plans to disclose the actual dollar amount earmarked for these local organizations after the current cold and flu season ends.
Sine-Off, a cold, cough, flu, and sinus brand for over 35 years, is available at CVS, Eckerd/Brooks, Kmart, Wegmans, Fred Meyer, Longs, Harris Teeter, Kerr Drug, Fred's, Family Dollar, among many other food and drug retailers.