The SA Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) is facing pressure over plans to phase out oral phenylephrine in OTC cold and flu products due to doubts about its effectiveness. The move follows scrutiny by the US Food and Drug Administration, which found the ingredient ineffective at standard doses.
Industry groups, including the Pharmaceutical Task Group, argue that combination medicines may work differently and need separate evaluation. Pharmacy bodies support evidence-based regulation but want a gradual transition.
A stakeholder meeting will guide next steps, as concerns grow over treatment alternatives, costs and access, making this a broader test of standards for legacy OTC medicines. – Business Day (22 April 2026)