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If you happen to’ve taken an over-the-counter decongestant prior to now 20 years, you’ve most likely taken one thing with phenylephrine as the primary energetic ingredient. And you might have observed that, regardless of taking it, you’re nonetheless congested. A Food and Drug Administration panel just lately beneficial that or not it’s taken off cabinets as a result of it doesn’t work any higher than a placebo. However what occurred and why is it nonetheless accessible for buy?
Within the above video, Vox senior producer Phil Edwards chronicles the history of the FDA’s regulation of over-the-counter medicines. That course of is the explanation that, regardless of many years of proof that phenylephrine doesn’t work (particularly in typical OTC doses), it has remained a available choice for clogged-up shoppers.
You will discover the video above and the complete library of Vox’s videos on YouTube.
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