Schering-Plough desloratadine

Launch preparations underway for "potential availability of desloratadine for the spring 2001 allergy season." Desloratadine is an active metabolite of Schering-Plough's Claritin (loratadine). An NDA was filed for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis Oct. 21, 1999 and for chronic urticaria Aug. 31, 2000. The company has not disclosed the product's regulatory review status and "has not made a prediction regarding the timing of U.S. regulatory approval for desloratadine" (1"The Pink Sheet" Oct. 16, p. 16)