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View Full Version : Good news for allergy sufferers

Craig S.
11-27-2002, 04:17 PM
Finally, Claritin will be available over the counter, offering cheaper alternatives for allergy relief and saving the hassle of a prescription:

http://www.cnn.com/2002/HEALTH/11/27/claritin.otc/index.html

I'm sure that Schering-Plough went along with this move for the sake of the public, and their decision had nothing to do with the fact that the patent is set to expire. Drug companies, as we all know, are not about profits. ;)
KCBOOMER
11-27-2002, 04:29 PM
Originally posted by Craig S.
I'm sure that Schering-Plough went along with this move for the sake of the public, and their decision had nothing to do with the fact that the patent is set to expire. Drug companies, as we all know, are not about profits. ;)

Don't you hate it when companies conduct their business just like we conduct our own.
Craig S.
11-27-2002, 04:42 PM
Originally posted by KCBOOMER
Don't you hate it when companies conduct their business just like we conduct our own.

I can't speak for everyone, but I don't conduct myself every day simply to make money at the possible expense of others.

I think drug companies could still do just fine without the ball busting.
rcartman28
11-27-2002, 04:45 PM
Life is good.....cheaper Prozac AND Claritin, and my shares of Eli Lilly gained about five bucks a share today.......
satchel
11-27-2002, 05:07 PM
I cannot wait! until this finally happens. I have severe allergies and I can't take Claritin's major competitors (Zyrtec and Allegra) because I'm ... wait for it ... allergic to them.

For me, as much as the cost it's the hassle of having to go to the doctor to get new prescriptions. If I felt like the doctor was doing more than rubber stamping the prescription I wouldn't mind ... I'm good about getting a complete physical every year, yet I only get enough prescription to last one season ...
sweaver
11-27-2002, 05:59 PM
Claritin is going OTC? Excellent! Now, I just have to wait for the generics!
pwdennis
12-02-2002, 01:53 AM
Seems reasonable. I actually think there are a number of drugs that could be made over-the-counter, including some of the treatments for skin problems
SHOELESSJOE3
12-09-2002, 01:54 AM
Hey guys..and girls take it from me, allergy shots have it all over those pills. I go for a shot every 4 weeks, in and out of the place in 15 minutes. I can actually stretch that 4 week period to about 6 weeks with no problem. It's the greatest no pills, a shot every month it's the only way to go.
pwdennis
12-09-2002, 02:03 AM
Originally posted by SHOELESSJOE3
Hey guys..and girls take it from me, allergy shots have it all over those pills. I go for a shot every 4 weeks, in and out of the place in 15 minutes. I can actually stretch that 4 week period to about 6 weeks with no problem. It's the greatest no pills, a shot every month it's the only way to go.

I took allergy shots for two years - they were a slight improvement over oral medications, but, for me, only a slight improvement. Definitely not worth the hassle of sticking myself with a needle weekly
Max Power
12-09-2002, 07:54 AM
Shots never worked for me - - the sprays help some times.

What I read on this - - the drug company is not happy that it's going OTC. What happened was that the insurance companies and employers lobbied hard to get this OTC - - - about a billion a year is spent by them on this drug and they prefer to have people pay for it OTC and out of their own pocket. The drug company thinks they will lose money with the OTC status.........
poorme
12-09-2002, 10:11 AM
it's actually bad news for me. with mail in prescription service through insurance I could get 3 months for $15. Now it will be about $17/month. And my insurance company will no longer cover ANY similar drugs..clarinex, allegra, ect.
SHOELESSJOE3
12-09-2002, 01:46 PM
Originally posted by pwdennis
I took allergy shots for two years - they were a slight improvement over oral medications, but, for me, only a slight improvement. Definitely not worth the hassle of sticking myself with a needle weekly

I hear you Dennis. It could be shots are not for everyone. How effective they are might not be the same for all, depending on what the person is allergic to. Then there is always the needle.
WiredTiger
12-10-2002, 11:34 AM
I used to pick up a few boxes when ever I went to Canada. It has been OTC there for quite awhile.