Behind the Bastards Part Two: The Food And Drug Administration
Feb 3, 2022
Discover the evolution of FDA regulations, controversial approval of Vioxx, opioid crisis, FDA's financial ties with pharmaceutical companies, and the agency's role in ensuring drug safety. Uncover the FDA's history, challenges, and failures in protecting the public from harmful products. Dive into the impact of pharmaceutical corporations on medical testing and explore radical solutions to address conflicts of interest within the FDA.
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Dr. Kelsey Halts Thalidomide
- Dr. Francis Oldham Kelsey personally halted thalidomide's approval in the US despite global use.
- Her skepticism prevented tens of thousands of birth defects and deaths in America.
Funding Shift Undermines FDA
- The 1992 Prescription Drug User Fee Act made the FDA partly funded by pharmaceutical companies.
- This funding shift compromised FDA independence and introduced conflicts of interest.
Faster Approvals Heighten Risks
- Faster drug approvals have increased post-market safety issues significantly.
- Many hastily approved drugs later reveal serious safety concerns, damaging public trust.