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Claritin switch has deeper implications. (Merchandising).
NEW YORK -- The switch of Schering-Plough Corp.'s Claritin from prescription to over-the-counter (O-T-C) status is shaking up the allergy category in more ways than one.
One unexpected result of the move is that some consumers may actually be paying more for the product as a result of the switch, because the nonsedating antihistamine (NSA) is no longer covered by health plans.
Some plans have also started charging higher copayments for such products as Aventis SA's Allegra and Pfizer Inc.'s Zyrtec, both of which are still on patent protection and are available only with a prescription.
Meanwhile California regulators have weighed in, warning health plans last month not to terminate coverage of prescription medication just because a similar drug is available as an O-T-C. Health plans that stop covering such NSAs as Allegra, Zyrtec and Schering-Plough's Clarinex would do so against the state's advice.
The advisory bulletin applies broadly to all categories of drugs, including heartburn remedies known as proton pump inhibitors. Procter & Gamble Co. is preparing a nonprescription version of AstraZeneca's Prilosec.
Consumers buying NSAs, meanwhile, have more choices than ever. Wyeth Consumer Healthcare has begun selling Alavert, a nonprescription allergy medicine containing loratadine, the active ingredient in Claritin.
Wyeth is advertising Alavert ...
- FDA Approval of Over-The-Counter -OTC- Claritin has Profound Bottom Line...
- Press release article from: Business Wire November 27, 2002 700+ words
...Expects to Help Save Health Plans and Employers Up...sedating antihistamine Claritin for over-the...opportunity for health plans and employers to...availability of Claritin in an over-the...allows employers and health plans to reduce their...
- Claritin moves over the counter.(BUSINESS)
- Newspaper article from: Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN) Howatt, Glenn December 13, 2002 700+ words
...Most Minnesota health plans will stop covering Claritin by the end of the...say consumers and health plans will benefit financially...long run, because Claritin, which had $1...prescription, he said. Claritin costs health plans about $2.50...
- FDA Clears Claritin for Over-the-Counter Use.
- Newspaper article from: Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News November 28, 2002 700+ words
...over-the-counter Claritin may exceed co-payments...prescription plans. Claritin is manufactured by Schering...beyond the pharmacy. Health plans may be able to save millions...in the same class as Claritin, limiting patients...
- Claritin to Debut over Counter.
- Newspaper article from: Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News December 11, 2002 700+ words
...Business News Dec. 11--When Claritin becomes available without...patient didn't get relief with Claritin, Aetna spokeswoman Karen...reporting changes at other health plans, including increases in co...Immunology. "For people for whom Claritin didn't work -- and no medications...
- FDA Grants Over-the-Counter Status to Allergy Drug Claritin.
- Newspaper article from: Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News November 28, 2002 700+ words
...over-the-counter Claritin may exceed co-payments...prescription plans. Claritin is manufactured by Schering...beyond the pharmacy. Health plans may be able to save millions...in the same class as Claritin, limiting patients...
- Demand for Claritin in Albuquerque, N.M., Likely to Rise during Allergy Season.
- Newspaper article from: Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News December 13, 2002 700+ words
...shelves of drugstores Thursday. Claritin is the first nonsedating antihistamine...starts next spring, most Claritin users will find the drug more...major New Mexico commercial health plans will stop paying for Claritin now that it is no longer a...
- Claritin makers waging an ad campaign to shift patients to Clarinex.
- Newspaper article from: Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service Wolfson, Bernard J. August 12, 2002 700+ words
...nonsedating antihistamine, Claritin, from its list of preferred...patients can shift suddenly as health plans and pharmaceutical companies...Plough also makes top-selling Claritin, whose patent expires in...sold $3.2 billion worth of Claritin last year, a third of its...
- CLARITIN GOES OVER THE COUNTER; DECISION TO EASE AVAILABILITY OF ALLERGY...
- Newspaper article from: The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY) December 23, 2002 700+ words
...the patient-pay portion of a Claritin prescription was climbing for patients in many health plans. Some health plans raised deductibles for drugs. Others moved Claritin into a tier that requires higher...
