In a move towards more responsible corporate behavior, CVS Health, the parent company of the retail pharmacy chain CVS, announced that it would no longer sell decongestants containing phenylephrine, a substance which has been linked to serious health concerns.
The move comes on the heels of a growing body of research which indicates that phenylephrine can cause serious medical problems, including increased blood pressure and a risk of stroke. CVS Health cited its commitment to public health as the reason for ceasing the sale of the decongestants which contain the substance, noting that the health and well-being of its customers are of utmost importance.
“We believe that making this change to our product portfolio is in the best interest of our customers and is part of our commitment to public health.” said CVS Health spokesman Mike DeAngelis.
CVS Health is not the first pharmacy chain to restrict the sale of decongestants containing phenylephrine. Earlier in the year, Walgreens and Rite Aid both announced similar measures, with Walgreens citing its “longstanding commitment to the health and safety of our customers” and Rite Aid noting its “responsibility to our customers” as the basis for their decisions.
The news has been well-received by consumer protection groups who have been advocating for restrictions on products containing phenylephrine for some time. “This is an important step in the right direction,” said Rachel Sassenberger, director of the Consumer Advocacy Group’s Health and Fitness Division, “We urge other retailers to follow suit and to take similar action to protect their customers from the health risks associated with phenylephrine.”
CVS Health’s decision to remove decongestants containing phenylephrine marks a significant shift in the way retailers are thinking about the products they sell and the responsibility they have to their customers. As more companies take steps to ensure the safety of their customers, one can only hope that this trend continues.
