Specifically, the FDA issued a proposed order to remove oral phenylephrine from the list of drugs that drugmakers can include in over-the-counter products—also known as the OTC monograph. Once removed,

Just as cold and flu season arrives, the Food and Drug Administration proposes pulling many decongestants from store shelves. The reason? An administration review found oral phenylephrine — a common ingredient in over-the-counter cold medications — doesn’t work.

Phenylephrine is both the most common decongestant on pharmacy shelves, and arguably the worst at its job. Last year, the FDA's advisory panel ruled it should no longer be considered an effective drug.