Well, Yay! And Not a Moment Too Soon

[furrbear]

Zrytec has gone OTC (Over-the-Counter). Still costs about $30.00 for 45. So, I'll keep getting the Canadian version, Reactine, for $60 for a year's supply (360).

Next up, I guess, will be Allegra (which is already OTC in Canada).

[Edit: Approval was also granted for generic manufacture, so we can expect to see those appearing (and price-dropping) in the next few months.]

Comments

[furr-a-bruin.livejournal.com]

Yay! I need a break from loratadine - I find if I take any of the less-sedating antihistamines for too long, they lose effectiveness. Oh, and technically speaking - as I recall, Reactine isn't generic, that's the actual brand name for cetirizine HCL in Canada. Where are you getting it for that price, I have to wonder...!

I wonder how long it will take before Costco has an uber-cheap house brand version on the shelves, like they do with loratadine....

[furrbear.livejournal.com]

Costco: the patent will have expire in order to allow generic manufacture.

Get the large Canadian web pharmacies, eg CanadaPharmacy.com and CanPharm.com. Prices vary a fair amount, which they do between US chains also (With the exception of the Target/W-M $4.00 list, I've found the best prices at Costco, especially on drugs that have a generic form.)

[brunorepublic.livejournal.com]

Healthcare: the *only* thing cheaper in Canada than the USA.

[furr-a-bruin.livejournal.com]

Um - it did. On Dec. 25, 2007, the patent on cetirizine expired.

In any case - while Costco apparently doesn't have a house brand yet, they're apparently going to be selling 75 tabs of the brand name for about what other places are getting for 45 tabs. Or so says their website.

[furrbear.livejournal.com]

Speaking of Costco generics, WTF happened to their ranitidine? Last time we were in it had been replaced with famotidine (Pepcid).