NEW JERSEY, March 11, 2002: It's a case of "everybody wins."

Schering-Plough, the Kenilworth, NJ-based pharmaceutical company, has had it's share of challenging issues to face in the last few years. With everything from manufacturing problems to product delays, SGP was seemingly under a cloud of misfortune.

Then, in late 2001, the FDA was considering legislation that would reclassify certain prescription-only allergy medications marketed by SGP, Aventis, and Pfizer to over the counter status. Not only are agents like Claritin, Allegra, and Zyrtec effective, they have more favorable safety and tolerability profiles than the current OTC allergy offerings, many of which may cause drowsiness. The fatalities associated with OTC antihistamine use, drowsiness, and driving are numerous and, quite frankly, disturbing.

Last month, SGP saw rivals American Home Products and Johnson & Johnson pursue OTC versions of Claritin. Of course, SGP is battling this one out in court.

Now, SGP has filed for approval of Claritin as an OTC medicaton -- which could be approved in November of this year. Meanwhile, the sequel to Claritin, Clarinex, recently gained FDA approval for the relief of indoor as well as outdoor allergies. A clinical advantage of which SGP will no doubt be taking advantage when marketing the brand.

So why does everybody win? First of all, very soon allergy sufferers may be able to go to a 24-hour convenience store and get a trusted, very effective, and safe alternative to the current crop of sleep-inducing allergy brands.

Second, patients won't have to "utilize" a doctor's visit -- this saves money throughout the entire healthcare system.

Third, SGP could get exclusivity for OTC Claritin, blocking other rivals from riding SGP's coattails for at least a few years.

Fourth, SGP not only could continue to dominate the allergy market with two distinct brands with a heritage of safety. SGP could take the opportunity to generate some much-needed positive momentum. Because when a company makes a leadership move that could benefit both handkerchief holders and shareholders, the two can only bring a brighter future.

Way to go, SGP.

(We considered writing, "God bless you, SGP" but a reference to divinity is nothing to sneeze at...)

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