“The first of two bills before me today is Introductory Number 541-A, sponsored by Council Members Wills, Barron, Cabrera, Dickens, Fidler, Gentile, Koppell, Koslowitz, Mealy, Seabrook, Williams, Sanders, Vacca, Comrie, Levin, Jackson, Dromm, James, Gennaro, Van Bramer, Nelson, Crowley, Weprin, Eugene, Chin, Lander and Vallone.

Introductory Number 541-A would expand the current prohibition on the sale of expired over-the-counter medication beyond retailers to include flea markets and other private sellers.  The bill also provides the Department of Consumer Affairs and other agencies the authority to enforce its provisions, and to levy fines and civil penalties to those who sell expired over-the-counter medication.

The Food and Drug Administration began requiring expiration dates on over-the-counter medications in the 1970s in an effort to ensure that consumers know how long they could expect the medicine they purchase to work.  This legislation redoubles that effort, and helps keep drugs that are expired out of the hands of people who need effective medicine.  

I would like to thank Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jonathan Mintz, Health Commissioner Tom Farley, and all of their staff for their work on this bill along with my Office of City Legislative Affairs.  I would also like to thank the City Council for approving this legislation.”