The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) is an American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 trade association

Trade association

A trade association, also known as an industry trade group, business association or sector association, is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific industry...

 consisting of manufacturers and distributors

Distribution (business)

Product distribution is one of the four elements of the marketing mix. An organization or set of organizations involved in the process of making a product or service available for use or consumption by a consumer or business user.The other three parts of the marketing mix are product, pricing,...

 of over-the-counter drugs

Over-the-counter drug

Over-the-counter drugs are medicines that may be sold directly to a consumer without a prescription from a healthcare professional, as compared to prescription drugs, which may be sold only to consumers possessing a valid prescription...

 and nutritional supplements

Dietary supplement

A dietary supplement, also known as food supplement or nutritional supplement, is a preparation intended to supplement the diet and provide nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, fatty acids, or amino acids, that may be missing or may not be consumed in sufficient quantities in a person's diet...

.

Membership

The CHPA has approximately 84 active members and 133 associate members. The active members are companies that manufacture or distribute OTC drugs and nutritional supplements. Associate members are companies that provide goods and services to the active members (e.g. their suppliers, their lawyers, etc.).

Activities

The CHPA provides an opportunity for members to share information about the science of OTC drugs. It also has an educational foundation that promotes consumer education about the dangers of drug abuse

Drug abuse

Substance abuse, also known as drug abuse, refers to a maladaptive pattern of use of a substance that is not considered dependent. The term "drug abuse" does not exclude dependency, but is otherwise used in a similar manner in nonmedical contexts...

.

The CHPA also engages in lobbying

Lobbying

Lobbying is the act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies. Lobbying is done by various people or groups, from private-sector individuals or corporations, fellow legislators or government officials, or...

 and public relations

Public relations

Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....

activities on behalf of its members.

History

The CHPA was founded in 1881 as the Proprietary Association. It changed its name to the Nonprescription Drug Manufacturers Association in 1989. In 1998, nutritional supplement manufacturers and distributors were allowed to join the association, and its name was changed to the Consumer Healthcare Products Association the next year.