In a statement issued on Thursday, CVS said some of the most commonly prescribed cough and cold medicines would no longer be sold in its stores. 

After a panel of FDA advisors unanimously determined that the main ingredient in many over-the-counter cold and allergy medications doesn’t actually clear up congested noses when taken orally, the company made its decision a month ago. 

In versions of NyQuil, Benadryl, Sudafed, and Mucinex, oral phenylephrine is a nasal decongestant. The FDA has not decided whether to ask manufacturers and retailers to remove these products. 

Nevertheless, CVS is voluntarily removing from its stores cough and cold medicines containing phenylephrine as their only active ingredient. 

The company is aware of the FDA advisors’ determination and will follow their directions to ensure products sold at its stores comply with laws and regulations. To meet patients’ needs, CVS stores will continue to offer other oral cough and cold products. 

Sudafed PE, which is marketed by Kenvue, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, is an oral product that lists phenylephrine as its only active ingredient.

Taking oral phenylephrine off the market entirely could harm CVS and other retail pharmacy chains that rake in revenue from cold and allergy remedies.

Data compiled by FDA staff shows that U.S. retail stores sold 242 million bottles of phenylephrine last year, up 30% from 2021. Sales of those bottles amounted to $1.8 billion last year, according to the data.

A lack of oral phenylephrine will also force patients to seek out liquid and spray versions of the drugs or entirely new medications, which were not reviewed by FDA advisors.