Access to allergy care: implications for quality healthcare and public safety.

Some managed care companies are considering reducing or eliminating coverage for several second-generation antihistamines prescribed to treat patients with allergic rhinitis, chronic idiopathic hives, and other allergy-related conditions. Treatment options for all patients with allergic and immunologic diseases should reflect accepted standards of medical care. Prescription policies limiting coverage and/or use of second-generation antihistamines are medically inappropriate, below current national standards of practice in the field of allergic and immunologic diseases, and may increase health expenditures in the long-term. Any action to reduce or limit coverage will not only diminish the quality of medical care for allergy patients but have significant health and safety implications for the general public.