CVS Health Shelves Popular Cold Medicines Amidst Doubts Over Key Ingredient Efficacy

CVS Health cold medicines Phenylephrine FDA Efficacy of oral phenylephrine

By E.Baloyo , Parent Herald Oct 19, 11:08 pm

Photo: (Photo : Spencer Platt/ Getty Images)

CVS Health has announced its decision to cease sales of several popular decongestants featuring phenylephrine as the sole active component.

This news comes after concerns from the FDA advisory panel, which recently questioned the efficacy of oral phenylephrine in alleviating nasal congestion.

Despite the panel's reservations, the FDA has yet to determine if products containing this ingredient should be removed from the market by manufacturers and retailers.

The Controversy Surrounding Phenylephrine

Phenylephrine, a major component in many cold medicines, has recently come under scrutiny.

A panel advising the FDA raised eyebrows by openly questioning the efficacy of oral phenylephrine. This skepticism was not without precedent.

Just a month prior, the same group refrained from backing the effectiveness of over-the-counter remedies that featured this ingredient, suggesting that no further research was needed to solidify their position.

Previously, phenylephrine was adopted as a replacement for pseudoephedrine in a slew of non-prescription cold and allergy treatments after issues of pseudoephedrine misuse became evident.

It's noteworthy that this ingredient is not a newcomer in the world of cold medicines. Renowned brands like Benadryl, Sudafed, GSK's Advil, and Kenvue's Tylenol all have products that incorporate phenylephrine.

However, as of now, the FDA has remained on the fence about whether it will direct drug manufacturers and retailers, CVS Health included, to retract products laden with oral phenylephrine from the shelves.

CVS Health Takes the Lead

While the FDA has yet to finalize its stance, CVS Health, always prioritizing its commitment to customer health, has taken the initiative.

By choosing to remove selected cold medicines containing phenylephrine as the sole active element, they are setting a new standard in the industry.

A spokesperson from CVS Health provided clarity on the matter, emphasizing the company's unwavering dedication to upholding health standards and regulations.

They shared this perspective highlighting that while some products are being removed, CVS Health will ensure the availability of other cold medicines to meet the diverse needs of their clientele.

Significantly, companies such as Johnson & Johnson's consumer health offshoot, Kenvue, which markets products like Sudafed PE, are now in the spotlight due to CVS Health's groundbreaking decision.

Ripples in the Retail Pharmacy Landscape

The potential widespread removal of oral phenylephrine from the market might send shockwaves across CVS Health and competing retail pharmacy chains.

To put things in perspective, last year saw the U.S. retail sector selling an astonishing 242 million bottles of drugs infused with phenylephrine.

This marked a growth of 30% from 2021, according to comprehensive data assembled by FDA staff. The monetary translation of these numbers is even more staggering - a whopping $1.8 billion in revenue.

With the possible phasing out of oral phenylephrine-based cold medicines, consumers may be nudged to look at alternative medications.

This could see them turning to either liquid and spray variants of these drugs or delving into completely new therapeutic solutions not encompassed in the FDA advisors' evaluation.

The path that CVS Health has chosen reflects a broader shift in the pharmaceutical retail industry, where the emphasis on the efficacy and safety of ingredients like oral phenylephrine is becoming paramount.

As the narrative around phenylephrine and its efficacy continues to evolve, all eyes will be on the FDA's next move and its implications for both retailers and consumers.