Drug retailer Walgreens is allowing customers to pre-order OTC Claritin 10 mg tablets through its (¹ Web site in anticipation of a Dec. 10 product release date.

The chain is offering free shipping on Schering-Plough's loratadine product; a 20-count of the once-a-day treatment carries a price of $20.

The site states the antihistamine provides "non-drowsy prescription strength without a prescription" and "all day relief." FDA approved five Claritin formulations as OTC allergy remedies Nov. 27 (see ² Also see "Schering OTC Claritin Post-Approval Filings To Include Hypospadia Reports" - Pink Sheet, 2 December, 2002. ).

The pre-order offer and accompanying letter to pharmacy patients was posted early on Nov. 27; Walgreens said the posting was mistakenly made before FDA formally announced the OTC approval.

The letter states FDA "has approved Claritin for sale without a prescription. Your local Walgreens Pharmacy can begin selling Claritin without a prescription in mid-December 2002."

"Most prescription insurance plans do not provide coverage for non-prescription drugs," the site adds. "The length of time Claritin will continue to be covered by insurance will vary by insurance plan. Depending on your insurance copayment, the non-prescription form of Claritin could be more or less expensive than what you're currently paying."

The site continues: "We suggest that you consult with your physician to determine whether you should continue taking Claritin as a non-prescription medicine or switch to a different prescription allergy medication."

The $1 per tablet price offered by Walgreens is less than one-third the average wholesale price for Rx Claritin, which was $3.23 per 10 mg tablet as of Nov. 15.

By comparison, Walgreens' site sells Pfizer's Sudafed 24-Hour Extended-Release Tablets for $5.49 per five-pack ($1.10 each), and Schering's Drixoral Cold & Allergy 12-Hour Relief Tablets for $9.99 for a 20-count (50¢ each).

Walgreens also is highlighting Claritin's imminent OTC availability in radio spots and Sunday advertising circulars.

OTC Claritin $1 Per Tablet Pre-order Price Listed On Walgreens Web Site

More from Archive

More from Pink Sheet