I was impressed when in 2001 Wellpoint successfully petitioned the Food and Drug Administration to convert the non-sedating antihistamine Claritin to an over-the-counter (“OTC”) drug. (An over-the-counter drug can be taken without physician supervision.) Traditionally, when a drug goes to OTC status, health plans stop covering the drug, and the member pays the full cost. This generally was the case with Claritin.

The AMA News (subscription wall) became exercised this week over the practice of two Minnesota insurers to cover OTC versions of Claritin and the proton pump inhibotor Prilosec with a prescription. Its front page headline warns “Physicians are concerned whether patients will get the drugs they need.” The health plans, however, are not forcing members to use OTC drugs, and as a Claritin user I think that the average person recognizes when an OTC drug will work just as well as a stronger prescription drug. My Google search reveals that other health plans have adopted this approach as have many Medicaid plans. Another health plan innovation.