Lhe wholesaler-distributor Febelco has noted an increase in sales of Sinutab and similar products up to six times the usual volumes, it announced on Friday. This observation comes as the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP) announced on September 30 that it will condition access to Sinutab and similar medicines on the presentation of a medical prescription from November 1 2024.
For Sinutab tablets, 30% of the usual monthly October volume has already been sold since October 1, 2024, reports Febelco. On Thursday October 3 – the first full working day after the announcement of the prescription obligation from 1/11 – daily sales were six times higher than the average daily sales for the month of October. For Sinutab Forte, 34% of the usual monthly volume for October has already been sold.
Febelco is also seeing a similar increase in sales for products in the same category as Sinutab, but with other active ingredients.
End of free sale
Two royal decrees soon to be published will make medicines based on the active ingredients (pseudo-)ephedrine and fusidic acid, i.e. Sinutab and similar medicines, subject to medical prescription. This will apply from November 1 of this year.
These medicines are frequently used for the symptomatic treatment of nasal congestion in colds, often in combination with other active ingredients such as paracetamol. However, (pseudo-)ephedrine is not recommended in any guidelines for the treatment of colds, points out the FAMHP. Its use is associated with potentially serious adverse effects (including cardiovascular, neurological and psychiatric). Some of these risks are unpredictable and not dose-related, the federal agency adds.
Over-the-counter availability also leads to an increase in the use of the drug, points out the FAMHP.
