A lawsuit more than an abortion tablet could about modify how the Food and drug administration approves medicines : NPR

America’s healthcare industry was recently shaken by news of a federal lawsuit that could have far-reaching implications for the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) drug-approval process.

The case was initiated by a non-profit organization called the Family Planning Council, which is suing the FDA for its refusal to grant over-the-counter status to a pill commonly known as the “abortion pill”. The organization argues that the FDA’s refusal to grant over-the-counter status is a violation of the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Administrative Procedure Act.

The controversial pill in question is the mifepristone and misoprostol combination, which has been used in Europe and Australia for medical abortions since the early 2000s. It is currently only available by prescription in the US, and in a limited number of states. The Family Planning Council believes that making the pill available over the counter would help safe, legal, and affordable access to abortion services.

The lawsuit argues that the FDA has failed to apply the same standards to mifepristone and misoprostol that it does to other over-the-counter drugs. The FDA has approved other drugs for over-the-counter sale despite their similar potential for misuse and harm, and yet continues to refuse to grant over-the-counter status to mifepristone and misoprostol. This is seen by many as an unconscionable double standard that serves only to restrict women’s access to safe, legal abortions.

If the lawsuit is successful, the FDA could be forced to reconsider the way it approves drugs for over-the-counter sale. This could open the door for a whole host of medications to become available in the US without a prescription. It could also serve as a precedent for future drug-approval decisions, as the FDA would be forced to explain any discrepancy between its treatment of different medications.

No matter the outcome of the case, it is clear that the implications of this lawsuit may be felt far beyond the abortion-pill debate. It is possible that a lawsuit more than an abortion pill could fundamentally alter the way the FDA approves drugs in the future. [ad_1]

[ad_2]

Source backlink