The Consumer Healthcare Products Association released the following statement today following West Virginia Governor Jim Justice signing Senate Bill (SB) 688 into law. This legislation lifts the annual purchasing limits for common over-the-counter cold and allergy medications containing the ingredient pseudoephedrine.
Previously, West Virginia had imposed annual purchase limits of 48 grams per person for products with PSE, roughly a six-and-one-half month supply. SB 688 amends that policy by increasing the annual limit to 86.4 grams per individual consumer, enabling allergy sufferers in West Virginia to purchase a full 12-month supply of congestion relief medications containing PSE.
“CHPA was pleased to see Governor Justice sign this legislation into law today, making these products more accessible to the West Virginians who rely on them for congestion relief,” said Carlos Gutierrez, vice president of state and local government affairs at CHPA.
Gutierrez added, “OTCs are a core attribute of our healthcare system, providing accessible, affordable, safe and effective solutions. Without them, 82% of people would seek professional medical attention for minor ailments, including allergies, further straining our already overburdened healthcare system. CHPA thanks Governor Justice, Senate Majority Leader Takubo, and Delegate Summers for prioritizing legislation that will not only increase access to the beneficial self-care products West Virginians depend on for relief but will alleviate undue burdens caused by costly and unnecessary doctor visits.”
Advertisement
HRG’s five notable products from January
“I’m pleased to have sponsored this legislation, which will give West Virginians increased flexibility to care for their allergy symptoms year-round,” said Tom Takubo, West Virginia State Senate Majority Leader. “West Virginia has proven its commitment to combating the illegal diversion of pseudoephedrine through its adoption of NPLEx, ensuring law enforcement and pharmacists on the front lines of this fight have the tools they need to crack down on criminals. With the adoption of today’s legislation, we’re also ensuring law-abiding citizens have better access to the consumer healthcare products they need when they need them, and I applaud Governor Justice for taking swift action to sign this bill into law.”
Thirty eight states across the nation mandate the use of the National Precursor Log Exchange system, which is a real-time, stop-sale technology used by retailers and law enforcement to prevent the illegal sale of PSE to criminals who try to use it in the production of methamphetamine. In 2023, the NPLEx system successfully blocked the illegal sale of nearly 2 million boxes of medicines containing PSE, preventing more than 5 million grams of PSE from getting into the hands of potential criminals. CHPA has been instrumental in advocating for the extension of the NPLEx system in multiple states, including in West Virginia last year where the program was at risk of being sunset, had proactive legislation not been passed to eliminate the sunset provision.
[Read more: REX Awards 2023 – OTC]
CHPA said it takes the diversion of its members’ medicines very seriously and will continue working with elected officials to ensure states have the necessary tools to combat illegal sales of PSE. “Restricting sales of PSE could burden those who depend on these medicines for relief with unnecessary and costly visits to the doctor. CHPA is committed to advancing solutions that penalize criminals and ensure law-abiding consumers continue to have access to a wide range of treatment options, including nonprescription medicines containing PSE,” CHPA said.
INSTITUTE, W.Va. — The Institute Fire Department has called a precautionary shelter-in-place for those living in close proximity to the Catalyst Refiners plant.
Advertisement
According to Kanawha County Emergency Manager C.W. Sigman said there was an incident involving an acid-based material at around 9:30 .am. Wednesday.
According to Sigman, most of the material which was spilled was inside a building and it largely contained and the shelter-in-place is precautionary.
Emergency crews are on the scene treating multiple patents at the plant. The extent of injuries is not known.
A media briefing has been scheduled for 2 p.m.
CAMC/Vandalia confirmed they were preparing for patients as is WVU Medicine Thomas Hospital where they’ve activated their Incident Command Center.
Advertisement
The plant is located between Institute and Nitro. The roadway is shut down on 1st Ave S in Institute from New Goff Mountain Rd to Kilowatt Rd.
The shelter-in-place is for a one-mile radius of the plant and includes the West Virginia State University campus.
The shelter-in-place put into effect for St. Albans was lifted at 10:30 a.m.
CHARLESTON, W.Va (WCHS) — The West Virginia PSC held a public comment hearing on Tuesday regarding West Virginia American Water taking over Lincoln Lincoln Public Service District.
Only one person spoke out sharing what they’d like to see done if West Virginia American Water acquires the Lincoln PSD.
“If the company wants to get to folks who really need water, they should be looking at areas where drilling well is nearly impossible, like mine, which is actually closer to the lines than some of the places they mention in their filing. My neighbors and I live closer to the main water lines than the proposed Sugar Tree Road extension or the one and a half miles out to the campground that they plan on serving,” a Lincoln PSD customer shared during the meeting.
Lincoln PSD issued a boil water advisory on January 26th, and it wasn’t lifted until March 31st, leaving some customers not able to use what was coming out of their faucets.
Advertisement
Just last year, the Lincoln County Commission voted to move forward with the dissolution of the Lincoln PSD, but, in September, the district filed a petition to stop the sale to West Virginia American Water. Soon after in November, PSC staff submitted a request asking the applicants to give specific financial information.
West Virginia American Water issued the following statement at Tuesday’s meeting:
“West Virginia American Water has been working collaboratively with the Lincoln County Commission and the Lincoln County Public Service District Board regarding the possible acquisition of the Lincoln County Public Service District. The proposal would involve the purchase of the 2,532-customer system. We appreciate the opportunity for public input and look forward to continuing to work through the Public Service Commission’s review process.”
Lincoln PSD customers received a letter in the mail this week stating that the system violated drinking water monitoring requirements. The utility noted what was done to correct the situation and added that customers are not at risk.
Customers were also alerted Tuesday night of a boil water notice tonight due to a recent inspection concluding that the utility is not currently meeting the minimum disinfection requirements for surface water facilities.
One of the best quarterbacks in recent memory to come through West Virginia, Will Grier, is approaching his eighth year in the NFL, which is quite the accomplishment for a backup. According to multiple reports early Tuesday morning, Grier is headed home, signing a free agent deal with the Carolina Panthers.
Advertisement
Grier was selected in the third round (100th overall) by the Panthers in 2019 and, at the time, was viewed as someone who could potentially be the future face of the franchise. That plan got messed up pretty early as Ron Rivera was fired during his rookie season, ultimately replaced by Matt Rhule. That offseason, the Panthers decided to cut ties with Cam Newton and bring in Teddy Bridgewater, giving Carolina a completely different direction at quarterback.
Advertisement
Following his second season with the Panthers, Grier was let go and began bouncing around the league. He spent time with the Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, and then back to the Cowboys in 2024 and 2025.
Although he has only played in two regular season games in his career, Grier is widely viewed as a tremendous veteran quarterback who can bring depth to a room and serve as an extra voice for the starter to lean on. In this case, he and former Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett will fill that role for Bryce Young.
Advertisement
Where Grier ranks among WVU QBs in the NFL
Nov 23, 2018; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Will Grier (7) celebrates during the second quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images | Ben Queen-Imagn Images
Statistically, he’s not going to catch anyone unless he somehow gets thrown into a starting role at some point, but as far as longevity goes, he’s been able to stick around in the NFL longer than most former Mountaineer quarterbacks.
Geno Smith (still active) is entering his 14th year in the league, and Jeff Hostetler made it 13 years. Those are the only two WVU quarterbacks who played longer. Marc Bulger played eight years, so as long as he makes it through this season and plays in 2027, he’ll surpass him. The others? Charles Seabright (six years), Oliver Luck (four years), Pat White (one year), and Fred Wyant (one year).
Advertisement
Grier will forever be remembered as one of the best to ever suit up for the Old Gold and Blue, tossing for 7,354 yards and 71 touchdowns in just two seasons in Dana Holgorsen’s offense. Following the 2018 season, he finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting, marking the highest finish for a Mountaineer since Steve Slaton in 2006.
