FDA Approves OTC Claritin
The
Food and Drugs Administration has approved sale
of Claritin (loratadine) as an Over the counter
product. Claritin, a drug to relieve the symptoms
of allergy like runny nose, dry itchy throat,
nasal congestion and sneezing, was previously
available only upon prescription.
The FDA decided to take this decision so that
more people could access this almost non-sedating
drug which provides fast relief for allergy
symptoms and is cost-effective as well. This
was another one of the FDA’s decisions
which reflected their goal of bringing effective
prescriptive drugs to the over-the-counter market
and by doing so, make them more accessible.
Their criteria for approving drugs for over-the-counter
use largely comprises determining whether the
illness or condition that the drug is used to
cure is one which consumers can care for themselves
or not. Also, they determine if the drug can
be safely used the way it is intended without
the backing of a prescription and if the product’s
label and packaging informs consumers about
the potential side effects, methods of use and
dosage.
As with other drugs, it is expected that upon
being granted the OTC status, Claritin’s
price will also decline. This new status of
Claritin will ensure that more consumers are
desperately in need of relief from allergy symptoms
will be able to make use of Claritin’s
distinguishing feature: its non-sedating nature,
which causes minimum drowsiness as compared
to other OTC antihistamines. Hence, it offers
consumers a safer alternative, which does not
impair any of their natural abilities. |
