Los Angeles Municipal Code Art. 6.5 Regulation of Over-the-Counter Drugs
Los Angeles Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Los Angeles
Cite as: Los Angeles Municipal Code Article 6.5 · Text as of 2026-10-04
(Article and Sections Added by Ord. No. 157,089, Eff. 10/18/82.)
Section
SEC. 46.10. DEFINITIONS.¶
(a) For the purposes of this article the term “over-the-counter drug” shall mean any drug, as the term “drug” is defined in Section 4031 of the Business and Professions Code of the State of California, other than a dangerous drug.
(b) For the purposes of this article, the term “dangerous drug” shall mean any substance defined as such by the provisions of Section 4211 of the Business and Professions Code.
SEC. 46.11. OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS RESEMBLING DANGEROUS DRUGS – SALE PROHIBITED.¶
No person shall offer for display or sale, or sell, any over-the- counter drug or other substance which, because of its resemblance in appearance, may be confused with one or more of the following dangerous drugs, or an isomer, ester, ether, salt or salt of an isomer whenever the existence of such an isomer, ester, ether or salt is possible within the specific chemical designation of the drug, or a compound, mixture or preparation containing such drug:
An amphetamine.
A barbiturate.
Benzodiazepine.
Chloral hydrate.
Codeine.
Glutethimide.
Methaqualone.
Pentozocine.
Phendimetrazine.
Phenmetrazine.
Phentermine.
SEC. 46.12. MISREPRESENTATION AS A DANGEROUS DRUG.¶
No person shall represent, either orally or in writing, or by nonverbal communication, that an over-the-counter drug is a dangerous drug. This section shall be inapplicable to any misrepresentation prohibited by either Section 11355, 11382 or 26460 of the Health and Safety Code of the State of California.
SEC. 46.13. DISCLOSURE OF HAZARDS.¶
No over-the-counter drug containing caffeine, ephedrine or phenylpropanolamine shall be displayed or offered for sale, or sold unless there appears on the package or container in which said drug is displayed or offered for sale, or sold, a label stating “WARNING, DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSAGE FOR THIS DRUG AS STATED ON THE LABEL”. Such warning shall be in red lettering.
SEC. 46.14. DISCLOSURE OF CONTENTS.¶
No over-the-counter drug containing caffeine, ephedrine or phenylpropanolamine shall be displayed or offered for sale, or sold, unless the name and quantity of each active ingredient is stated on the label of the container in which such drug is displayed or offered for sale or sold.
SEC. 46.15. EXCEPTION.¶
The provisions of this section shall not apply to the distribution of an over-the-counter drug when dispensed as a placebo by a practitioner, as the term “practitioner” is defined in Section 11026 of the Health and Safety Code, in the course of lawful professional practice
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