Hooray for the FDA!!!
You just gotta love ‘em. Now, after over 2 years of debating (28 months to be exact) and receiving the nearly unanimous blessing of their advisory committee, the FDA has reached a decision on whether or not to make the morning after pill available over the counter. The verdict? Okay, get the ammonia capsules ready.
Our hallowed Food and Drug Administration hs announced that they have “indefinitely postponed its ruling” on whether women should be allowed to buy the “morning-after pill” Plan B without a prescription–despite assurances that it would act by Sept. 1.
The decision to embark instead on a new regulation-writing process was denounced by women’s health advocates and some lawmakers as a stalling tactic. A formal rulemaking generally takes years to finish.
FDA Commissioner Lester Crawford acknowledged the agency’s drug review staff had concluded the drug could be safely used as an over-the-counter drug by women older than 17. But in an unexpected twist, Crawford also said the application raised complicated and unresolved issues about whether current regulations allow a drug to be legally sold by prescription only for teens but over-the-counter for all others.
“What we’re saying today is that there are unique regulatory issues here that need to be addressed before we can make a decision on this application,” he said, adding he could not estimate how long that might take.
It is really a shame that the FDA has transformed into such a sad joke, and that they are caving in to pressure from fanatical neocons–who quite obviously, prefer to see fetuses aborted rather than pregnancy prevented. But why should anyone be surprised? A few days ago I posted on how a biotech insider, one who advised investors, has landed a spot as a deputy commissioner. And now today, the FDA just can’t bring itself to to the right thing, the job that it was created for, and confirm that the morning after pill be made available over the counter.
The FDA, throughout its history, has always maintained an ultra-cozy relationship with the industries that it is supposed to be regulating. But now, it seems to be completely forgetting science, and is wimping out under political pressure.
Nice going, FDA. I’m so proud that you are looking after the health and welfare of the American people. It just makes me feel so safe!!!
Now, let me and puke.
Read the entire article on the Chicago Tribune.