As Loratadine Reaches OTC Market, MediMedia Finds Managed Care Plans Revising their Non-sedating Antihistamine Coverage Strategies.Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers YARDLEY, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 5, 2003 With Claritin joining the over-the-counter ranks much like ibuprofen ibuprofen (ī`by  prō'fən), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that reduces pain, fever, and inflammation. and acetaminophen acetaminophen (əsēt'əmĭn`əfĭn), an analgesic and fever-reducing medicine similar in effect to aspirin. It is an active ingredient in many over-the-counter medicines, including Tylenol and Midol. before it, many health plans are in the
process of revamping their prescription drug prescription drug Prescription medication Pharmacology An FDA-approved drug which must, by federal law or regulation, be dispensed only pursuant to a prescription–eg, finished dose form and active ingredients subject to the provisos of the Federal Food, Drug, formularies.The FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. announced the OTC OTC See: Over-the-counter. OTC See over-the-counter market (OTC). status approval for loratadine in November 2002. The status change had been requested by Schering-Plough in March after Wellpoint Health Networks filed a petition to switch Claritin, Allegra (fenofexadine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine) from prescription to OTC status. Schering-Plough initially opposed the idea of switching Claritin to non-prescription status, but ultimately filed a supplemental new drug application to sell loratadine over-the-counter itself. MediMedia Information Technologies asked P&T committee members registered on PharmScope (pharmscope.com) for their input regarding changes to their formulary formulary /for·mu·lary/ (for´mu-lar?e) a collection of recipes, formulas, and prescriptions. National Formulary see under N. for·mu·lar·y n. due to the over-the-counter status of loratadine and its effect on the non-sedating antihistamine antihistamine (ăn'tĭhĭs`təmēn), any one of a group of compounds having various chemical structures and characterized by the ability to antagonize the effects of histamine. class as a whole. This brief survey addresses the status of NSAs on formulary, costs to the plan and the likelihood of implementing policies that would encourage the use of Claritin OTC. Results from the survey include: -- Sixty-two percent of the respondents say a drug utilization/evaluation review is initiated for the drug class when a drug goes over-the-counter. -- 59% of the plans will be moving desloratadine to a different, and, in most cases, lower status than loratadine. -- Sixty-two percent do not expect NSAs to maintain their status. -- Aetna will apply pre-certification to all prescription non-sedating antihistamines as of January 1, 2003. To learn more about this survey, PharmScope and our Formulary Compass services contact Vincent Ceniccola at (267) 685-2742 or see www.mminfotech.com. About PharmScope PharmScope serves the audience of Pharmacy & Therapeutic (P&T) committee members and other formulary decision makers. Members are from MCOs and hospitals. PharmScope delivers relevant content to its audience such as full journal articles, career resources, Washington Watch, Continuing Medical Education continuing medical education See CME. and survey participation. About MediMedia Information Technologies MediMedia Information Technologies is a division of MediMedia USA, Inc. (www.mminfotech.com) MediMedia specializes in healthcare information, communication and education services targeting healthcare professionals, healthcare institutions, health insurers, employers and consumers. MediMedia employs over 2,600 people worldwide in more than 30 countries to create, produce and distribute its products and services. |
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