Prescription Nasacort AQ.FDA approves Chattem’s Nasacort
Chattanooga-based Chattem will market a new nonprescription anti-allergy nasal spray after the medicine received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval.
Chattem-parent Sanofi announced Friday the FDA approved Nasacort Allergy 24HR nasal spray as an over-the-counter treatment for seasonal and year-round nasal allergies in adults and in children 2 years of age and older.
Nasacort is the first and only medicine in its class to be available without a prescription, the company said. With 60 million Americans suffering from nasal allergies, Chattem officials believe it can be a key addition to its product line.
“We believe there is significant value in making certain types of medicines, like Nasacort, directly available to consumers,” said Anne Whitaker, president of North America Pharmaceuticals for Sanofi US. “Allergy sufferers will benefit from having an additional treatment option, and it’s a strong addition to our existing consumer health portfolio.”
State sales tax falls below budget
September sales tax collections in Tennessee were 3.5 percent ahead of a year ago but still were 5.2 percent short of budget expectations.