4 - The Michigan Daily -- Tuesday, May 29, 2001 Edited and managed by JACQUELYN NIXON AUBREY HENRETTY Students at the *ACE Yn CIef AE Yr PgEditor University of Michigan Editor in Chief Editorial Page Editor Unless otherwise noted, unsigned editorials reflect the opinion ofth 420 Maynard Street majority of the Daily's editorial board. All other articles, lettersaan SAnn Arbor, Ml 48109 cartoons donot necessarily reflect the opinion of The-Michigan Dail T he Food and Drug Administration decided two weeks ago that the popular prescription allergy drugs Allegra, Claritin and Zyrtec were safe enough to be sold over-the-counter. The FDA made the right move but it did not consider the economic impact of its decision. This decision should be seen as a battle between drug compa- nies and insurance providers: Two prof- it-hungry giants unconcerned with public health. In one corner we have the drug com- panies who are fearful that the change in status of their expensive medications will lower their profit margins. Accord- ing to the Washington Post, a single Claritin pill costs about $2.12 in the United States, while in Europe - where the medication has been sold over the counter for ten years - it costs about $0.70. The drug companies argue that consumers will misdiagnose their symptoms without a visit to a doctor. This implies that U.S. citizens are less capable of identifying hay fever than their European counterparts. Claritin, Allegra and Zyrtec are adver- Expensive drugs Over-the-counter prices too high tised as being safer and having fewer side effects than cheaper, over-the- counter drugs. But maybe it's this advertising that is driving the price up. According to IMS Health, a London- based analyst, last year Schering- Plough, the makers of Claritin, spent $48 million directly marketing their product. It is no wonder prices continue to skyrocket. Fighting for the reclassification are the insurance companies who are tired of shelling out money for prescription allergy medicine. If the drugs are sold over-the-counter, insurance will no longer cover them. This hurts those who depend.on insurance to help them with medication. Even at $15 a bottle instead of $50, the price can be out of reach for many. Many doctors have also argued against the change. Here too, profits play a role. With the direct advertising campaigns, many more people go to doctors to request brand-name medica- tion. Spending on prescription drugs rose 19 percent last year, resulting in record numbers at the doctor's office. Today, they are fighting over a cure for a runny nose and maybe that isn't so important, but tomorrow the argu- ment could be about an AIDS drug or a cancer remedy. Major drug companies have already waged war against compa- nies that produce cheap, generic AIDS drugs for sale in Africa. A life-and- death situation for millions couldn't draw a drop of pity from the drug com- panies when it looked like it would cut into profits. All of these institutions are supposed to be aiding the public, but when it comes down to it, huge profit at th cost of health is the bottom lin Increasing use of effective but expen sive new drugs has been a main caus of the double-digit rise in health c costs. So, what is the right move? If ever trail leads to higher consumer costs an greater corporate profit, it means ou system needs to change. A balance mus be achieved between the insurance an drug companies' need to turn profit and the public's fundamental right to b healthy. Claritin, Allegra and Zyrte should be sold over-the-counter s those without health insurance don' have to drive to Canada to buy the sam pills at fair prices. Insurance company should pay for many of the well-est lished over-the-counter drugs. The battle being fought today is nc being fought by the right people. Th public should demand fair prices and little compassion from those who hol our health in their hands. Corporat behemoths fighting over the margi should not dictate our national healt policies. Fawed a nnd-nft Schools should not have to support BSA T he No Child Left Behind Act - ed. The case wore on until 1999, when passed last week by the U.S. House the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled in of Representatives and currently Dale's favor. But the following June, the awaiting consideration by the U.S. Sen- U.S. Supreme Court reversed the deci- ate - has a deceptively simple title. Its sion, saying that forcing the BSA to purpose, as summarized on Congress's allow gay scoutmasters would be forcing legislative search engine, is "to close the them to endorse "homosexual conduct as achievement gap with accountability, a legitimate form of behavior." While the flexibility and choice so that no child is ruling did not specifically give the BSA left behind." It's enough to make any the right to bar gay boys, it certainly left legislator feel all warm and fuzzy inside. room for that interpretation. However, despite the bill's apparently Local school officials have every laudable goals, it contains at Ieast one right to condemn the BSA and to stop noteworthy injustice that quietly them from congregating in their schools. appeared on the version passed by the While the Equal Access Act passed by House. An amendment was added Congress requires that all student-run Wednesday that "prohibits the use of extracurricular activities in a given dis- federal funds by any state or local trict be afforded equal access to facili- agency that discriminates against the ties, the BSA is an adult-run, privately Boy Scouts of America in providing funded organization and is not protected equal access to school premises or facil- under this legislation. ties".As long as the Supreme Court contin- This amendment is an obvious attack ues to defend the BSA's right to discrim- on the teachers' unions and school inate, the responsibility to speak up for boards across the country that have equality will fall on private citizens. Per- voiced their opposition to the BSA's haps if more schools would refuse time notoriously anti-gay policies by resolv- and space to the BSA, the organization ing that the organization is not welcome would be forced to re-consider its overt- on their campuses. One such protest was ly discriminatory policies. staged by the Plymouth-Canton teachers' If the No Child Left Behind Act is union in November; the union signed a passed into law, the aforementioned resolution asking the local school board amendment would punish courageous to prohibit the BSA from assembling or teachers - like those in the Plymouth- recruiting in the district. Canton district - that refuse to accom- Although the BSA supposedly prides modate intolerant organizations. The itself on molding young boys into honor- implications would be startling. Where able, patrioticjyoung men, it has consis- would it end? How long would it be tently ignored one of the basic tenets before other adult-run groups with prej- upon which the United States was found- udiced practices started to demand equal ed: "That all men are created equal." access to our children? They did not believe, for example, The Senate should refuse to consider that former scoutmaster and New Jersey the No Child Left Behind Act until the resident James Dale was created equal. offending amendment is removed. They Dale was expelled from his Eagle Scout should remember that passing this ver- assistant scoutmaster position when the sion of the bill will leave behind gay higher-ups learned he was gay. Dale children and children of gay parents, sued in 1992, demanding to be reinstat- regardless of what its name implies. igh iving High-rise will benefit students, revitalize A2 S trolling through Ann Arbor within Furthermore, businesses that aren' the next year, you may notice the multi-million dollar corporation renovation of the vacant lot on the should also have the opportunity t corner of S. State and Washington taste and survive the market of An streets. Previously occupied by an Arbor. The independently owned restau Olga's Kitchen restaurant, the building rants and retail stores that are freck has been empty for about 14 years. Big throughout this town are treasured : plans for the space emerged last Mon- their uniqueness. People come to An day with a decision by Ann Arbor City Arbor to search for items not sold in tht Council in favor of the development of generic shopping centers. State Stree a new apartment building. should not become so exclusive tha Upon completion, the structure will only wealthy chain stores can afford t -add a tidy new apartment tower to Ann do business there; a day of explorinl Arbor's list of housing options and and socializing on State Street shouk eliminate the drafty vacancy - and be an experience unlike anything on eyesore - currently taking up the cor- could do at every shopping mall in the ner. country. This eight-story addition to the Uni- Another concern about the new apart. versity's downtown area will feature ments is that this will be the beginnmg o retail on the first level and apartments a trend to transform Ann Arbor into on levels two through eight. The new land of sky-rises. Surrounded by two. apartments will provide a welcome story neighbors, the eight-story building option for many students who have may appear out of place. The Planning been unable to find close living quar- Commission voted not to recommend it ters in the past. With some students because Ann Arbor prides itself on its walking 15 or 20 minutes to get to small city traditions - traditions thai class, the spread of basic campus hous- make it special and attractive. Despite the ing can be extreme. These new apart- new building's landmark appearance, ii ments will increase options for close still far surpasses the current ghost-to campus housing but because of their building and makes good use of the newness, it may not be the most afford- The only other recent offer for the loi able for students. However, it will draw was for a one-story building; it was more people to the downtown area as rejected because the Commission felt ii well as students, and perhaps free up didn't use its space wisely. Although other housing within reasonable prox- eight stories is tall for Ann Arbor, the imity. new building is an good, economical Despite the novelty of the building, choice for the corner. the rent for the apartments needs to Overall, the apartment building will remain reasonable. As such a close part add a healthier tone to downtown State of campus, students shouldn't be driven Street. It will bring students to the he out by exorbitant prices because it is land area making it a strong asset to t they who would benefit the most from unity of the community. Best of all, it the location. Besides, why would the will fill the run-down void that currently University want such a large structure occupies the corner. Provided that rent is so close to campus that is full of people kept reasonable in the new building, it who aren't strong supporters of their will be a healthy addition to the down- cause? town scene.