From: Lafreniere, Heather [hlafreni@mesirowfinancial.com]
Sent: Friday, May 11, 2001 6:53 PM
To: 'fdadockets@oc.fda.gov'
Subject: OTC allergy medication

I would like to share my support for the move to allow Claritin, Allegra et
al to be sold OTC.  Contrary to the article on the wire today, Friday May
11, 2001, that quoted a woman from an Allergy and Asthma organization
stating that they had not received an overwhelming number of requests from
consumers to have these drugs available OTC, I would like to request that
these drugs be made available.  But who has time to write a request?  I
didn't even know you could request such a thing.  I thought a prescription
drug was a prescription drug, end of story.  

Currently I am an allergy sufferer taking Claritin, a wonderful drug to
counter my allergies.  Existing OTC alternatives make me nauseous, jittery
and I lose my ability to concentrate, not something I can afford in my job
as an investment banker.  My Claritin prescription has run out and to get it
renewed I have to make an appointment to see my physician so that he can
say, 'yup, you still are allergic to dust and pollen, here's your new
prescription'.  Where's the efficiency in this?  I have to take time away
from work, take time of the doctor (for such a silly, simple diagnosis), my
insurance provider pays a ridiculous sum for this silly visit and then for
my very expensive prescription. Why not offer the same solution for $15 over
the counter?  Tell me how the consumer or the rest of society loses here?
If I had asthma and pumped the Claritin in my system, would my symptoms
truly be relieved sufficiently so that I wouldn't still need to see my
physician and receive proper treatment?  I find the whole situation
ridiculous and driven by profits at the major pharmas.  Please note that I
am not against those companies being profitable, they make up a large
portion of most of our 401k plans, however I am against the hypocritical
argument that maintaining prescription drug status is better for the
consumers' health.  But then I'm just a layperson who sees this turn of
events as a major positive in her life.

Thank you for reading,

Heather La Freniere
Senior Vice President
Mesirow Financial, Inc.
Tel. 312-595-7982
Fax. 312-595-7980
Mobile: 312-543-2429
e-mail: hlafreni@mesirowfinancial.com