CVS to Remove Select Cold Medications Containing Phenylephrine Due to Ineffectiveness Concerns

CVS voluntarily decides to remove select over-the-counter cold and allergy medications containing phenylephrine as the sole active ingredient, although FDA's final ruling on its efficacy is still pending. Major rival pharmacies like Walgreens and Walmart are yet to follow suit.

CVS has decided to remove select over-the-counter cold and allergy medications containing the ingredient phenylephrine, following a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel's finding that phenylephrine is not effective at relieving nasal congestion when administered orally.
Although the FDA has not officially requested the removal of these products, CVS has taken the initiative to do so voluntarily, being the first major pharmacy to make such a move.
Phenylephrine, a key ingredient in many medications, is found in over-the-counter drugs like NyQuil, Benadryl, Sudafed, and Mucinex. Research reveals that only a minor amount of orally taken phenylephrine reaches the nose to alleviate congestion.
Other major pharmacy chains such as Walgreens, Walmart, and RiteAid have not yet decided to follow suit, waiting for a final ruling from the FDA before taking any action.
The FDA's final decision about whether to remove phenylephrine's over-the-counter status or ban products containing the ingredient altogether may take months, especially if the results are contested.