It was added to cold and flu remedies in the 1990s when another ingredient went behind the counter over illicit meth lab concerns. Regulation and Deregulation of Industry, Drugs (Pharmaceuticals), Colds, Phenylephrine (Drug), Food and Drug Administration, Hendeles, Leslie It was added to cold and flu remedies in the 1990s when another ingredient went behind the counter over illicit meth lab concerns. NYT > Business