Major Companies Sued for False Marketing of Ineffective Phenylephrine in Cold Medicines

Companies including J&J, P&G, and Walgreens sued after FDA panel found phenylephrine ineffective for cold medicine.
Lawsuits allege companies deceived consumers by marketing phenylephrine as a decongestant despite studies showing it's no better than a placebo.
Over $1.7 billion in sales generated from 242 million phenylephrine products sold in 2021.
First lawsuit filed in Florida accusing J&J and P&G of false marketing based on 2018 FDA guidance.
Additional lawsuits filed against GSK, Reckitt Benckiser, and Walgreens over similar phenylephrine claims.

reuters.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/13/2023

FDA Panel: Widely Used Oral Decongestant Phenylephrine Ineffective, Waste of Money

An independent advisory committee to the US Food and Drug Administration has determined that the popular ingredient phenylephrine, found in many over-the-counter allergy and cold medicines, is ineffective in tablet form.

9/16/2023

Major Retailers Sued Over Ineffective Decongestant Ingredients

A new lawsuit filed in California targets 14 retailers and pharmaceutical companies, including Walmart, CVS, and Amazon, for selling over-the-counter medicines containing phenylephrine as a decongestant, despite a regulatory panel ruling that it is ineffective, with the plaintiffs seeking class-action status and damages.

9/19/2023

Lilly Sues US Pharmacies Over Unapproved Compounded Versions of Diabetes Drug Mounjaro

Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly has filed lawsuits against various US medical spas, wellness centers, and compounding pharmacies to prevent the "unlawful marketing and sale" of non-FDA approved compounded products that falsely claim to be its medication, Mounjaro, which treats Type 2 diabetes.