Article: Panel recommends over-the-counter allergy drugs; FDA: Claritin, Allegra and Zyrtec could be available without a prescription

GAITHERSBURG, Md. (AP) - Three popular allergy medications are safe enough to be sold without prescription, a federal advisory panel ruled Friday in an unprecedented case that could save the health-insurance industry billions of dollars but increase costs for many consumers.

Acting on a petition by WellPoint Health Networks of Thousand Oaks, Calif., the Food and Drug Administration panel recommended that Claritin, Allegra and Zyrtec be made available over the counter, without supervision by a doctor.

The vote was 19-4 each for Claritin and Zyrtec, and 18-5 for Allegra. The FDA is not required to follow the recommendations of the panel, but usually does so.

Dr. John Jenkins, of the FDA, said ...

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