CVS (CVS) is removing some cough and cold medicines that contain phenylephrine from its shelves. This voluntary recall is taking place after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported last month that the chemical was ineffective in treating congested noses when it was taken orally.
In September, a panel of advisors to the FDA had noted that phenylephrine, a main ingredient in several over the counter (OTC) medications for cold as well as allergies was ineffective taken orally. The FDA has not issued any orders to drug manufacturers or retailers after this report. However, CVS is conducting a voluntary recall.
The FDA also said that neither they nor the committee have concerns about safety issues on the use of oral phenylephrine at the current recommended doses. However, all 16 members agreed that oral phenylephrine does not offer relief from nasal congestion.
Some of the common OTC products that contain phenylephrine as a main or major ingredient are as follows:
NyQuil
Benadryl
Sinus-Max
Theraflu
Sudafed and
Mucinex.
The news was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, on Thursday. CVS said that it will offer other cough and cold medications that are currently available over the counter.
Data from the FDA shows that 242 million bottles of drugs containing phenylephrine were sold across the U.S. by retail stores in 2022. This is an increase of almost 30 percent when compared with sales in 2021. In 2022 the revenue generated by the sales of these bottles was approximately $1.8 billion.
CVS appears to be the first giant retail company to voluntarily recall products with phenylephrine as the main ingredient. Walgreens and Rite-Aid have not as yet commented on their possible recall.
As oral phenylephrine will soon be unavailable, consumers will have to use liquid and spray versions of the drug. They might also look at other medications that were not part of the review by the advisors to the FDA.
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