CVS Withdraws Cold Medications as Phenylephrine Loses Popularity: A Closer Look

CVS Pulls Some Cold Meds After Phenylephrine’s Fall From Favor

CVS Health, the largest pharmacy chain in the United States, recently announced that it will be pulling certain decongestants from its shelves and will no longer sell them. This decision comes after advisers to U.S. health regulators determined that one of the ingredients, phenylephrine, does not effectively clear congested noses. Phenylephrine is an almost-century-old ingredient found in various versions of decongestants and over-the-counter pills, syrups, and liquids.

The Decline of Phenylephrine

The fall from favor of phenylephrine is a significant development in the pharmaceutical industry. For years, this ingredient has been widely used in cold medications as a decongestant. However, recent regulatory decisions have challenged its effectiveness.

U.S. health regulators concluded that phenylephrine does not work effectively to clear congested noses, leading to CVS‘s decision to remove products containing the ingredient from its shelves. Oral products that list phenylephrine as the only active ingredient, such as Sudafed PE, will be affected by this decision.

The Impact on Pharmacy Shelves

The removal of these cold medications from CVS shelves demonstrates the immediacy of the impact of health regulatory decisions on the pharmacy industry. CVS Health’s decision to discontinue the sale of these products reflects the growing understanding that certain ingredients may not provide the desired outcomes despite their long-standing presence in the market.

Sanofi’s Lantus Insulin at a Reduced Price

In other pharmaceutical news, Sanofi, a leading pharmaceutical company, announced that its most commonly prescribed insulin, Lantus, will now be sold for $35 a month through GoodRx Holdings Inc. This partnership with the drug-discount site aims to reduce the cost burden on patients.

Sanofi had previously stated its commitment to lowering list prices for Lantus and capping out-of-pocket costs for insured individuals at $35 a month starting next year. However, the recent agreement with GoodRx will allow immediate access to this reduced price for all customers, regardless of insurance coverage.

The Role of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)

The drug price debate has taken center stage once again, as evidenced by the recent Senate hearing for Monica Bertagnolli, President Joe Biden’s nominee to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH). However, it’s worth noting that the NIH has relatively little control over drug prices.

Despite the focus on high prescription drug prices, it is essential to recognize the multiple stakeholders involved in driving down costs. The pharmaceutical industry, healthcare providers, insurers, regulators, and lawmakers all play critical roles in addressing the issue of affordability.

Legal Settlements and Mergers

Walgreens Boots Alliance, another major player in the pharmacy industry, has reached a settlement to pay $192.5 million in a class-action lawsuit brought by investors in Rite Aid. The investors accused Walgreens of misleading them in 2017 regarding the scrutiny of the two drugstore chain operators’ upcoming merger.

Additionally, Laronde, a startup focused on RNA medicines, has announced a merger with another startup after facing a scientific misconduct issue that affected its leading drug candidates. The merging of these two companies represents efforts to overcome challenges and move forward in the development of innovative therapies.

The Environmental Footprint of the Pharmaceutical Industry

The production and supply of medicines account for approximately one third of the global healthcare industry’s greenhouse-gas emissions. However, pharmaceutical companies face significant challenges in reducing these emissions, particularly in their supply chains and the use of energy-intensive chemical processes.

Companies that have committed to lowering their carbon footprint report that these “Scope 3” emissions, which are a result of external suppliers and patient usage, are the most difficult to address. This highlights the need for collaboration within the industry and with external stakeholders to reduce the environmental impact of medication production.

Conclusion

The recent developments in the pharmacy industry, including CVS Health pulling certain cold medications from its shelves and Sanofi’s reduced price for Lantus insulin, reflect the ever-changing landscape of healthcare. These changes serve as a reminder that evidence-based decisions, collaboration, and regulatory oversight are essential in ensuring public health and affordable access to medications.