CVS Removes Certain Cold, Cough Products With Phenylephrine From Shelves: Report

CVS Health Corp CVS has reportedly decided to remove specific decongestant products from its stores after an advisory by a panel to U.S. health regulators found an ingredient in these products, oral phenylephrine, to be ineffective in alleviating congestion.

The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) advisory committee declared its findings regarding the ineffectiveness of the oral phenylephrine last month and said the formulations are safe but ineffective at standard or even higher doses, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Despite the FDA not yet finalizing its stance or instructing the removal of these products from marketplaces, CVS has voluntarily taken them off its shelves, the report mentioned.

CVS said it is taking off certain oral cough and cold medicines taken by mouth that contain phenylephrine as the only active ingredient. However, customers can still find alternative congestion-relief products at CVS locations.

The report noted oral products with phenylephrine as the sole active ingredient, include Sudafed PE. 

Phenylephrine has been available since 1938 and didn't undergo the stringent clinical evaluations that are now standard for modern medications.

With the FDA panel's findings, there's potential for oral phenylephrine to be removed from approved over-the-counter ingredients. 

Price Action: CVS shares closed higher by 0.18% at $70.61 on Thursday.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.