HJR55 Summary

• Recognizes March 2016 as Self-Care Awareness Month in Alabama to promote awareness of healthy lifestyle choices and personal health management.

• Acknowledges that the FDA deems over-the-counter medicines safe and effective for treating minor acute and chronic health conditions such as pain, colds, and allergies.

• Notes that every dollar spent on OTC medicines saves the U.S. health care system $6-7 annually, totaling $102 billion in yearly savings.

• Supports increased consumer empowerment through development of new nonprescription medicines and conversion of certain prescription medicines to over-the-counter status.

• Encourages consumers, health care practitioners, policymakers, and regulators to communicate the benefits of self-care in reducing unnecessary medical visits and health care costs.