It was formulated by Jacqueline Shan[1] and originally manufactured by her company, Afexa Life Sciences (formerly called CV Technologies),[2] which was acquired by Valeant Pharmaceuticals in 2011.

[4] Blumenthal from American Botanical Council suggested that COLD-FX "represents a new class of herb-based therapeutic products" and is a "result of intensive scientific research on a natural herb".

Clinical studies involving more than 1600 patients, showed that the active ingredient in COLD-FX can help reduce and prevent common cold and flu symptoms when taken daily.,[8][9][10][11][13][14] Individuals requiring anti-coagulant therapy such as warfarin should avoid use of American ginseng.

[4] Other criticisms point out that these studies have been small scale, with conspicuously shallow participant pools and lopsided gender distributions.

[17] No studies have yet been performed to assess the possible long term side effects of taking the pills every day during the cold and flu season.

A CV Technologies press release explained the change in the dosing regimen as a choice to take a two-tier approach application to Health Canada.