FDA Proposes Ending Use of Oral Phenylephrine as OTC Nasal Decongestant

Re:FDA Proposes Ending Use of Oral Phenylephrine as OTC Nasa... by tomatocracy on Friday November 08, 2024 @09:20PM (#42092096)

I wouldn't be surprised if that's actually an underestimate, because this saga has had a knock on effect on decongestant formulations sold outside the US as well. I don't know exactly why this has happened but my guess is it may be due to economies of scale in manufacturing or licencing overheads.

It's hard to find a pharmacy which even sells pseudoephedrine based decongestant if you're in the UK, for example.

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Re:FDA Proposes Ending Use of Oral Phenylephrine as OTC Nasa... by agurk on Saturday November 09, 2024 @05:21AM (#42093616)

Boots (a large UK pharmacy chain) sells it, but it's "behind the counter" so you have to ask for it. They will also only sell you one pack of 12 per visit

It's the same for codeine-mixed products. Recently I got denied a simultaneous purchase of pseudoephedrine and ibuprofen/codeine - I was I was only allowed one.

I'm not sure if it's policy, law or I just looked suspicious.

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Re:FDA Proposes Ending Use of Oral Phenylephrine as OTC Nasa... by tomatocracy on Saturday November 09, 2024 @03:54PM (#42096842)

Thanks. Looks like the buying limits are a legal requirement: https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/pseudoephedrine-and-ep... ) Seems like it was also classified as Pharmacy only (behind the counter) or prescription instead of just OTC.

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