Alliance Weighs in on Importance of Treatment Options for Sinus Congestion

Today, the Alliance and the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) submitted comment to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on the importance of access to treatment options for over-the-counter decongestants. The FDA is currently evaluating the efficacy of such treatments.

In the letter, the Alliance and ASCP discuss consumers’ self-reported benefits for individuals using phenylephrine (PE) medications, and the lack of over-the-counter alternatives to PE. The main therapeutic alternative to PE, pseudophedrine (PSE), is subject to additional restrictions and is only available over-the-counter. If PE is taken off the market, this leaves PSE as the only option and this is available in fewer settings and only when a pharmacy is open. Based on these factors, the Alliance and ASCP recommended the FDA continue to recognize PE as a decongestant.

Read the full letter.