Statement to USDA Re: Behind the Counter Availability of Drugs

We support the judicious movement of some prescription drugs to Over the Counter (OTC). For example, on July 10, 2007, we filed a letter of support for the petition on moving Allegra and Zyrtec to the same status as Claritin, on the grounds that this OTC competition will lower the price of Allegra, Zyrtec and Claritin, and save consumers the cost of seeking a physician’s permission for a prescription for a safe anti-allergy medicine. But how many other drugs are there like Allegra/Zyrtec that could safely move from the prescription pad to OTC or BTC?