C&D is acquiring not only the top-selling zinc cough/cold product, it’s also bringing under its roof a brand that at one point was perhaps the most notorious in the consumer health space.

FDA officials in 2009 found Matrixx had not forwarded to the agency more than 800 reports consumers and other sources sent to the firm complaining about anosmia, loss of the sense of smell, after using Zicam nasal swabs, which had been its top-selling product.

Matrixx contended it had submitted around 130 adverse event reports to the FDA and the other reports weren’t serious and it wasn’t compelled to forward those. But FDA officials said that under mandatory AER requirements for OTC drugs and dietary supplements, reports about anosmia linked to the use of any of the firm's products should be submitted to the agency. (Also see "Zicam Maker Matrixx' Sales Plummet While Legal Costs Climb" - Pink Sheet, 9 August, 2010.)

The FDA issued a consumer safety warning that use of certain Zicam intranasal products is linked to anosmia and Matrixx voluntarily withdrew the products hours after receiving a warning letter.

Matrixx, which initially was taken private in 2011 by H.I.G. Capital and acquired by Gryphon in 2018, stopped marketing the intra-nasal gels and swabs and in 2012 began pitching Zicam products for “pre-cold relief” and emphasizing shortening the duration of a cold. Recalling the products sent the firm’s sales and stock price plummeting as it defended lawsuits from consumers and shareholders and as it attempted to promote its oral delivery products, including allergy and nasal congestion and cold products. (Also see "Zicam Creates A Monster With Reanimated Brand" - HBW Insight, 29 October, 2012.)

Church & Dwight Takes Homeopathic Turn For OTC Sales Driver, Acquires Zicam Marketer Matrixx

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