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FDA Cannot Force an Over-the-Counter Drug Switch

By Andrew S. Krulwich
February 09, 2004

Does the Food and Drug Administration have authority to force manufacturers of prescription drug products to switch those products to over-the-counter (OTC) distribution against their will? The FDA is currently grappling with this issue, a dispute that has generated substantial controversy, including statements by FDA officials and coverage in leading newspapers.

The agency has under active consideration a 1998 Citizens Petition filed by WellPoint Health Networks, a health insurer, requesting that the FDA force the manufacturers of three leading allergy medications — Allegra/Allegra-D, Claritin/Claritin-D, and Zyrtec — to switch these products from Rx to OTC status. In a 2002 petition, WellPoint added a fourth drug, Clarinex. Claritin's manufacturer has voluntarily switched that product, but the makers of Allegra, Zyrtec, and Clarinex are contesting the FDA's authority and the wisdom of forcing a switch. High-ranking FDA officials have been quoted in the press stating that FDA has such authority.

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