06-Feb-19, mClinica Insights
Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently legalized over-the-counter (OTC) sales of loratadine, an antihistamine used to treat allergy symptoms, which means that it can now be purchased without prescription even at convenience stores.
Image: mClinica
Across the nation, there was a major backlash from pharmacists who do not agree with the FDA’s decision. More than 84% of pharmacists are not in favor of allowing loratadine to be sold OTC.
The top three reasons why pharmacists disapprove of the OTC sales of the drug are:
- Adverse drug reactions
- Safety concerns about the drug itself
- Abuse and/or improper use of the drug