> Their preliminary review of studies suggested that it is probably, in fact, useless. This proceeding is now proposing to ban it on the grounds that it's ineffective
Is ineffectiveness really a good reason to ban a substance? Why not just ban labeling it as a medicine instead?
That is actually what is happening, per the article. It's being banned as being labelled an "active ingredient" in OTC decongestant pills.
If you read the article title it is not a ban on the drug.
> Ending Use of Oral Phenylephrine as OTC Monograph Nasal Decongestant Active Ingredient
It is a ban on marketing/listing this as an active ingredient on those products. If you read further into the article this is only for oral use and they're requesting comments for nasal use, which would be unaffected by this.