Panel Urges Over-Counter Sale of Nicotine Patch

A federal advisory committee recommended Friday that the Food and Drug Administration approve the over-the-counter sale of Nicotrol, the nicotine transdermal patch made by Pharmacia & Upjohn Inc.

Nicotrol, used to ease the withdrawal symptoms of stopping smoking, is now sold only through prescription.

The FDA usually accepts the recommendations of its advisory committees but is not bound by them.