The Air Force grounds all pilots suffering allergy attacks. But Air Force Lt. In at least one incident, this behavior led to loss of life and the destruction of hundreds of millions of dollars of equipment. The issue is under review. Price and easy availability heavily influence consumers' choices.
Drug companies can charge higher prices when insurers pay most of the bill.
By contrast, in Canada, the allergy season has brought on a price war. Blue Cross of California estimates that U.S. antihistamine prices would fall by half if the drugs were moved over the counter. But industry consultant Steve Francesco says that's wishful thinking. It is at this point that drug companies typically ask the FDA to move a drug over the counter. By law, the FDA can consider only medical issues, although what's really at stake is the drug's profitability, he says.