DECISION ON MEDICINES CONTAINING PHENYLEPHRINE FOR USE AS DECONGESTANTS

NOTICE PAPER NO. 2604 
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 27 FEBRUARY 2024 

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song
MP for Aljunied GRC

Question No. 5771

To ask the Minister for Health given the unanimous vote by a US Food and Drug Administration’s advisory panel deeming phenylephrine as being ineffective as a decongestant (a) whether HSA will cease to approve medicines containing phenylephrine intended to be used as decongestants for (i) general sale and (ii) prescription; (b) if so, what is the timeline to do so; (c) if not, why not; and (d) whether binding advice will be issued by HSA on acceptable phenylephrine parameters as decongestants in medicines.

Answer

1    Phenylephrine is used in non-prescription cold and cough medicines. It has been used for many decades in many countries, including Singapore without any significant safety concerns. 

2       The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is currently reviewing the data on the effectiveness of phenylephrine and its relevance in the Singapore context. We note US Food and Drug Administration has yet to make a final decision despite the recommendation from its advisory committee. HSA will update members of the public if any significant regulatory action is taken.