Federal bipartisan bill looks to expand OTC drug access, backed by Sen. Husted

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A new bipartisan bill introduced Wednesday aims to expand safe access to prescription drugs across the United States.

The Streamlined Market Access and Reform for Therapeutics Over-the-Counter, or SMART OTC, Act is backed by U.S. Sens. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, and Maggie Hassan, D-N.H.

The bill attempts to increase clarity and predictability of the Food and Drug Administration’s process for giving certain prescription drugs status as over-the-counter (OTC) options.

“Ohioans deserve access to affordable, high-quality health care,” Husted said. “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.”

The legislation looks to increase pa