We read about a ban on cold medicines and the sale of Alzheimer’s drugs

And so another working week will soon come to an end. Not a moment too soon, right? As you may remember, this is our prized signal for dreaming about weekend plans. Our agenda is rather modest. We expect to continue the never-ending task of manicuring the Pharmalot grounds, walking with the official mascots and taking a nap. We’re also hoping to have another listening party where the rotation will probably include this, this, this, this and this. And what about you? This remains a beautiful time to enjoy nature. This can make you think about upcoming vacation plans – who to visit and who to avoid, and so on. Or you may simply be planning the rest of your life in light of recent events. Whatever you do, we’ll have a great time. But be sure. Have fun and see you soon. …

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration proposed removing oral phenylephrine, commonly used in cold and cough syrups, as an active ingredient in over-the-counter nasal congestion medicines because it was not effectivesays Reuters. Phenylephrine is commonly used in a variety of over-the-counter flu and cold medications, including popular products like Benadryl, Advil, and Tylenol. It is also an ingredient in nasal sprays to treat nasal congestion. However, the FDA’s action only applies to orally administered phenylephrine and not to the nasal spray form. Last year, an FDA advisory panel voted unanimously against the effectiveness of oral phenylephrine as a nasal decongestant, adding that no further studies were needed to prove otherwise. Procter & Gamble, GSK and other companies have been accused in lawsuits of misleading consumers about cold medicines that contained the ingredient.

Eisai has backed away from its optimistic sales growth estimate for Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi as demand remains sluggish. Pharmaphorum tells us. In its half-year financial report for the current fiscal year released this morning, the company announced that Leqembi sales were approximately $107 million, of which almost two-thirds came from the United States. This led Eisai to cut its fiscal 2024/25 forecasts for the drug to $107 million from $279 million after an encouraging start to the year. So far, the drug has been launched in the United States and five other countries, but the prospects were recently dashed after regulators in the European Union and Australia indicated they were unlikely to grant approvals because the effectiveness outweighed the risks side effects do not predominate. And recent reimbursement decisions have not ended well. The Health Technology Assessment Agency for England and Wales recently declined to be covered by the National Health Service, partly because of the cost of monitoring for side effects.