South CarolinaSouth Carolina requires monthly fees from certain medicine makers
Beginning October 1, 2026, manufacturers of certain nonprescription products sold in South Carolina must pay monthly fees, with fines for violations.
What it does
Manufacturers of certain nonprescription products sold in South Carolina must pay a monthly fee to the data system administrator. The amount is negotiated each year, with limits on increases.
Manufacturers who break the monthly fee rule must pay fines that rise with each later offense.
Argument forThe fees could help pay for the system that checks sales, while limits on most yearly increases may help manufacturers plan costs.
Argument againstManufacturers could face monthly fees that rise over time, adding costs for companies selling these products in South Carolina.
More detail
Manufacturers must pay the data system administrator a monthly fee. This applies to manufacturers of nonprescription products containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine sold in or into South Carolina. The administrator and manufacturers negotiate the fee each year for each product and transaction. An increase of ten percent or more over the prior year's fee is allowed only if the administrator shows it directly reflects system costs. Manufacturers must provide written proof of payment if the State Law Enforcement Division asks. Monthly payments begin October 1, 2026.
Manufacturers who violate the monthly fee requirement must be fined. This applies to manufacturers covered by the monthly fee requirement for the listed nonprescription products. A first offense carries a fine of $500 to $1,000; a second, $1,000 to $5,000; and a third or later offense, $5,000 to $10,000.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 5Effective date 05/19/26Latest
- Jun 3Act No. 235
- May 19Signed By Governor Henry McMasterBecame Law
- May 15Ratified R 248
- May 14Roll call Yeas-111 Nays-0
- Vote recorded Concur in Senate Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- May 14Concurred in Senate amendment and enrolledTo Governor
- May 14Scrivener's error corrected
- May 13Read third time and returned to House with amendmentsPassed 2nd Chamber
- May 13Scrivener's error corrected
- May 12Roll call Ayes-46 Nays-0
- Vote recorded 2nd Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- May 12Read second timeMinor
- May 12AmendedMajor
- May 7Committee report: Favorable Medical AffairsMinor
- Apr 30Referred to Committee on Medical AffairsMinor
- Apr 30Introduced and read first timeMinor
- Apr 30Read third time and sent to SenatePassed 1st Chamber
- Apr 29Roll call Yeas-112 Nays-0
- Vote recorded Passage of Bill. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 29Read second timeMinor
- Apr 29AmendedMajor
- Apr 23Debate adjourned
- Apr 15Requests for debate-Rep(s). Frank, Edgerton, Pace, Beach, Harris, Gilreath, Cromer, Terribile
- Apr 2Committee report: Favorable with amendment Labor, Commerce and IndustryMinor
- 2025
- Apr 23Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and IndustryMinor
- Apr 23Introduced and read first timeIntroduced
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