Antihistamine switch petition gains support
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
Consumers Union, the non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports, supports a recent petition by law firm Greenberg Traurig to switch Rx antihistamines Allegra (Aventis) and Zyrtec (Pfizer) to OTC status in a letter to FDA July 11. "The consumer cost benefit of having these drugs available over-the-counter outweigh any possible risks," Consumers Union says, adding the move would be consistent with FDA switch policy. "Specifically, the potential for misuse and abuse is low, consumers can use the drugs for self or previously diagnosed conditions, the drugs can be adequately labeled, and health practitioners are not needed to provide for the safe and effective use of the products," the group notes. In its petition to FDA March 12, Greenberg Traurig cited previous citizen petitions in pressing the agency to switch the drugs (1"The Tan Sheet" March 26, 2007, p. 3) ...