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Welcome to the Sound Off Discussion Board, where parents from all walks of life and all parts of the world come together in one place to share their opinions and thoughts about the question of the week. Please remember that everyone is entitled to their opinion and the freedom to express it. Obscene posts are unwelcome and shall be removed from the board. Please keep in mind that this is a public board. Never post personal information that you would be uncomfortable sharing with others. Comments about this board should be sent to iParenting's Webmaster. Thank you for contributing! If you have a suggestion for the question of the week, send it to feedback@iparenting.com.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the drug Claritin, an allergy medication, to be sold over the counter. Should more prescription drugs, such as allergy relievers, cholesterol reducers and birth control pills, be sold over the counter?

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Birth control pills and allergy meds could be sold over the counter with no problem after reviewing how well they are able to work, if they have any undesirable side effects (whether uncomfortable or serious). I would say that after a 5 year time of being sold by prescription, that if there are few to no problems with those particular medication(s) then I believe they should be approved to be sold over the counter.

As far as cholesterol reducing medication, that should stay as a prescription medication. Reason being that if someone just has a one time only cholesterol problem, and after all is said and done by the Doctor and the patient (Following exercise routine, eating an appropriate well balanced diet, and taking their medication as prescribed to them) all is well again that the person/patient would no longer need the medication.

If the Cholesterol reducing medication is sold over the counter, then the person/patient might try to take their health and well-being into the own hands and either start relying only on the medication instead of the whole aspect of high cholesterol (exercise and proper diet). High Cholesterol is one of those conditions that has lead and could lead one into heart disease, heart attacks, heart related problems, therefore, the need for monitoring by a Doctor is strongly urged and needed to help stave off and protect a person's/Patient's life, health, and over all well-being.

Self medicating is not the end all, be all answer for patient's with high cholesterol. This is exactly the thing that could (and I bet would) happen, which is just plain dangerous.
Lydia
email: diamondinrough76@adelphia.net
Saturday, December 07, 2002 at 16:05:53 (EST)
Most drugs should be available only through prescription, but I feel that birth control should be made aailale over the couter. if it was easier to obtain, more people would take it and there would be less unwanted pregnancies.
Jennifer
email: caitybear99@aol.com
Saturday, December 07, 2002 at 09:02:35 (EST)
No, No, No

Parents should have the right to know what their children are able to purchase.
At least I want to know what my children can buy.
Theresa Drake
email: theredhatlady@att.net
Saturday, December 07, 2002 at 06:58:43 (EST)
I see both sides of this issue. The pharmaceutical companies need to recoup costs from research and development for a new drug. But the cost often becomes a great obstacle and some people stop taking medications that often improves their quality of life and helps in family planning. Maybe a shorter time limit should be set for the drugs to be prescription only.
Christi Diggs
email: christigd@hotmail.com
Friday, December 06, 2002 at 17:17:23 (EST)
I am so very tired of everyone looking to get off the hook. As parents, we have responsibilities that should be taken seriously and stop looking for easy way outs. Yes, sometimes we need a quick lunch or dinner. But these should be taken as an occassional thing. Not at all an everyday event. It is our fault, not McDonald's, if we have taken this to extreme measures. We know what our schedule is and should plan around it. I find no reason for this stupid lawsuit and hope it fails miserably. Let's just look for someone else to take the blame for our laziness.
Sharona
email: shacek20@aol.com
Friday, December 06, 2002 at 15:07:38 (EST)
Our childrens eating habits are up to us to shape. Fast food is OK every once in a while but not all the time. My husband and I love fast food and junk food but... We have to change our eating habits so we can improve our health and teach our son how to eat.
As far as changing many of the drugs to OTC's it would be nice. But realisticly speaking its not as easy as that. Saftey is important. There are many diffrent types of drugs because diffrent needs require diffrent ones. But if you don't know what you are doing you could hurt your self. We need to have changes made on the drug companies where they are willing to make less money and insurance companies willing to do what is best for thier clients- not their pocketbooks.
For the record there are many medical reasons for taking birth control pills not just because a person is sexual active. Start teaching your children young. Even if they don't do what you want don't you want them protected?! That means teaching them they need a condom evey time and what emergency contraceptives are. And how to get it when needed. Even in cases of rape some hospitals won't provide it. And let them know it is NOT an abortion. If you stop the egg and sperm from having a change to survive there is no child to worry about. You would be suprised how many girls did not get EC when they needed it and ended up pregnant.
Tanya
email: talcox@excite.com
Friday, December 06, 2002 at 14:17:20 (EST)
I think that more of the medicines, like allergy meds, should be over the counter so you don't have to fight the insurance companies about what to take. I just recieve a "prefered list" from mine and it is crazy what meds THEY can choose for my family to take. If we are going to have to pay for them anyway why not make them OTC. Besides, most of the time, once a med becomes OTC, instead of prescibed, the price drops because the makers and insurance companies have no control anymore.
just my opinion.
Mary Beth
Mary Beth
email: sarahbabybear@yahoo.com
Friday, December 06, 2002 at 12:25:11 (EST)
Sounds good to me. Seems it would cut down on teen pregnancy. We just need to make sure that the people keep wearing condoms to stay away from disease. The only concern I see is the safety in using these drugs without a doctor overseeing it. But, if the FDA says okay- I guess that's enough.
Shannon
email: campshani@socal.rr.com
Friday, December 06, 2002 at 01:00:14 (EST)
Oh for crying out loud, if you don't want your kid to eat junk food, don't buy it. I'm sure that these parents were unable to stop their car from going through the drive through...right! The parents are guilty of not being able to tell their kids no, and for being to lazy to teach them to eat responsibly or to fix them a good meal. Don't blame McDonalds for your parenting deficiencies.
Kendall
email: KendallDB37@aol.com
Thursday, December 05, 2002 at 13:43:52 (EST)
First of all, I agree with you David. It is all about parent taking responsibility.

Secondly, for those of you who have said Birth Control should be available by RX only, Ummm what about condoms?? They are birth control and you don’t need an RX for them. I am a foster parent to teenagers. We tell them we do not want them having sex, however we are also realists. If they choose to have sex we want them to be safe at it. Which for us, safety means both condoms and the pill. Condoms for STD's and the pill for birth control. Once again this is about responsibility and teaching our kids to step up and take it. We have been lucky and our girls feel comfortable talking to us. But if they were not, I would rather they are able to get the pill and be safe then not get it because they were embarrassed or scared.

As far as the Allergy RX’s yes, I feel it should be available over the counter. Insurance and drug companies are making too much money off of those of us who truly need this medications full time. My insurance company just raised their rates for Claritin to $30 because they determine which medicine is “approved and recommended”. THEY felt there was another medicine which works better for ME. Well, it doesn’t. So now I am stuck paying $5 for something that works only half as well or $30 for something that works wonderful. So I say, bring it on. Let the companies fight for my business instead of forcing me into choices that someone else makes.

Lauren
Thursday, December 05, 2002 at 11:46:15 (EST)
It is our job as parents to teach kids how to eat healthy overall and what foods to eat in moderation. Just because fast food is there, doesn't mean we have to eat it everyday. Busy parents should be taking the time to find quick and healthy meals that can be made at home. Blaming McDonald's for obesity is comical!
Jamie
Wednesday, December 04, 2002 at 20:56:38 (EST)
I have heard enough excuses, It was easier than making dinner and cleaning up. Guess, they can't open a can of soup. I didn't have time to make them anything before we left the house. What about some peanut butter crackers and a yogurt cup as you put them in the car. Or what about that bag of carrots they will munch on if you give it to them. What about ordering a salad instead of the double cheeseburger. I just can't imagine how these people could afford to eat fast food as often as they do for this to happen to children. A single Mom once said it was easier and they would eat it. I guess I would prefer my children to eat less of something they didn't care for than to offer then food that was not healthy on a regular basis. Besides, how could you afford the new clothes with the size jumps and the medical bills as it starts to affect health.

The Fast Food issue is an arrogant way for parents to accuse someone or something else for what they have, or have not done, for or with their child(ren).

We all make mistakes and wrong choices in life. We should not punish others or ourselves but make sound choices to move forward with change and an understanding that we have learned. The guilt should be peeled away and we should enjoy the blessing of today and move forward to a more informed future.

On the issue of the OTC birth control pills and the OTC drugs. I think it should not be allowed on a mass level but on an individual drug. OTC birth control pills are something that should be monitored by a Doctor. I am not sure of the rest of the OTC drugs but would say some of them are probably a NO because of the long term use side affects. It seems that people should at least call the Doctor and ask if okay or let them know you are taking OTC drugs long term so they can monitor it on a regular basis. A once a month aspirin may be okay if you are not allergic but a daily aspirin regiment should be checked by you Doctor on a regular basis.
DSmith
email: ksds@megsinet.com
Wednesday, December 04, 2002 at 13:36:21 (EST)
There is an interesting dovetailing going on in this board right now because of the previous and current topic. What I find interesting is that most people posting on this board are indignant and abhor the notion that McDonalds should be held responsible for fat kids... "It's the parents responsibility..." Yet when the idea of making birth control pills available OTC arises, all of the sudden there are posts whining that this will send kids the wrong message about sex! Now come on, you can't have it both ways. Are we going to parent our children or aren't we?! How is the idea that OTC birth control pills promotes sexual activity any different than McDonalds promotes an unhealthy lifestyle?! The point is, you take responsibility as a parent and not to pick and choose which areas of parenting you wish to feel holier-than-thou about and which issues you wish to abdicate to society...If you don't want your kids to have sex, then TELL them that, talk to them about it...but don't bury your heads in the sand and think that birth control pills are going to make a "good girl" turn "bad".
So if you think people shouldn't whine that McDonalds is making their kids fat, then please don't whine that the pill is going to turn your angel into a hussie.
David
email: pixeluva@yahoo.com
Wednesday, December 04, 2002 at 09:54:52 (EST)
Parents should take the initiative to instill good eating habits in their children. .
Aimee
email: aimeem2_98@yahoo.com
Wednesday, December 04, 2002 at 09:44:59 (EST)
As a nutrition professional working in a school district, I see first hand the ballooning obesity epidemic among our nations children. All foods must be considered within the context of the childs diet as a whole. Choosing fast food occassionally will not be harmful.
People are really missing out on the other half of this equation...physical activity. Obesity is not simply a food issue, therefore fast-food restaurants cannot be blamed for the obesity crisis. Parents are responsible for training children to make healthy choices that will take care of their bodies. Parents need to lead by example; stay active and limit the junk available to your family.
Mickela
email: msmitch@rock-hill.net
Wednesday, December 04, 2002 at 08:39:42 (EST)
yes it would be nice for some meds to be over the counter but I dont think birth control should be not for our teenagers to get hold of and think its ok to have sex,, you also need to be monitored when you are on those..(birth control)
Laurie C
email: mlcc3@msn.com
Tuesday, December 03, 2002 at 21:01:57 (EST)
I think it's absolutley ridiculous that people are blaming fast food chains like McDonalds for their fat and unhealthy kids. Parents should have enough control over a child to say "no, we're not having McDonalds." Parents obviously don't know when to say no. I feel parents are in complete control, and the problem of childhood obesity is directly related to the parent.
Michelle Thomas
Tuesday, December 03, 2002 at 13:23:50 (EST)
I can't believe how unresponsible parents must be, to blame a food chain for an unhealthy child. Only a parent is responsible for that, and to think that anyone could say that any restraunt isn't good for their children, is stupid. If you think your kid shouldn't eat or go to Mc Donalds, then don't don't take him there. Fast food doesn't hurt anyone, as long as you limit yourself and your children to eatting it. People need to take responsibility for their own actions, and stop trying to blame the world for their problems.
Becky
email: honeyshin@aol.com
Tuesday, December 03, 2002 at 12:59:39 (EST)
I have mixed feelings about this. I do feel allergy medications should be available over the counter, but I'm not sure about cholesterol reducing medication. Some people may think they can just start taking this pill and eat anything they want. I think the drug company would really have to educate people first. And I say no to birth control pills. What's going to stop children from buying them? We definitely don't want to give them another reason to have sex early.


Karen
Tuesday, December 03, 2002 at 12:40:13 (EST)
Yes, I think drugs such as allergy relievers should be sold over the counter. It will bring the prices down & make them more accessible to people who don't have health insurance or can't afford them. My son is currently on 2 allergy medication, Claritin Ready Tabs & Flonace. We have no health insurance so it costs me $160.00 a month for his allergy medications. That is a rediculous amount of money to have to pay.
Katherine
email: Sewmaterial1@aol.com
Tuesday, December 03, 2002 at 12:05:11 (EST)
Just to make it plain and simple. I feel it is totally the parents responsibility to know what they are feeding their children. Children depend on us for everything including the good judgement of where we are taking them out to eat and what we are ordering for them. If there is concern, parents are the one who should be checking into what is in the products we buy to put in our childrens mouths, and how much. So, once again, I totally feel it is up to us, the parents to watch go into our children's mouths.
Kelly
email: flory2001@rushmore.com
Tuesday, December 03, 2002 at 10:08:16 (EST)
I sure do think that these drugs should be sold over the counter. Right now, my daughter is on Claitin, and its over 100.00 for one month! Now thats if you dont have a prescription card, and my son is in Zyrtec, which is even more expensive! Alot of people need these drugs but cannot afford them at all. I am all for making them over the counter, it would help alot of people!
Michele
Tuesday, December 03, 2002 at 08:30:50 (EST)
Yes i think that MCdonald is fully responisible for children health, before them and all those fast food if we can call them restorant wich they are not world did not have this many fat and sick children..(tell the people the truth what is it in that burger (what contains) that makes kids eating + loving=getting sick & fat
Zaklina
email: zeleni1@webtv.net
az USATuesday, December 03, 2002 at 03:30:10 (EST)