[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 24, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E971]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





   RECOGNIZING THE BENEFITS OF OVER-THE-COUNTER CONSUMER HEALTHCARE 
                                PRODUCTS

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                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 24, 2019

  Ms. DeGETTE. Madam Speaker, each year, July 24th, is recognized as 
``International Self-Care Day,'' an annual opportunity to put a 
spotlight on the benefits that safe and effective self-care provide to 
advance public health. Consumer healthcare products such as over-the-
counter (OTC) medicines, consumer medical devices, and dietary 
supplements play a critical role in self-care. Americans enjoy easy 
access to consumer healthcare products at thousands of retail locations 
nationwide and online, and they recognize the tremendous value that 
consumer healthcare products provide for individuals and healthcare 
systems. In fact, OTCs alone save the U.S. healthcare system over $146 
billion annually. For every $1 consumers spend on OTC medicines, the 
healthcare system saves $7 by reducing the need for more expensive 
types of healthcare. That's why I was so proud to introduce H.R. 3443 
with my colleague from Ohio, Mr. Latta.

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