Earlier this month, the FDA authorized the marketing of a second generic version of mifepristone. It approved the first generic in 2019. Prominent GOP figures quickly urged President Donald Trump’s administration to reverse the decision. Cato’s Jeffrey A. Singer argues this reflects the politicization of drug regulation and highlights how the FDA’s broad discretion can be dangerously influenced by political pressures.

Singer points out that: “Regardless of one’s personal views on abortion the FDA’s decision to reopen a safety review of mifepristone reflects political pressure rather than scientific evidence. Once a brand-name drug has been demonstrated to be safe and effective, any chemically identical generic must be treated equivalently.

While the example involves a specific medication, the concern applies broadly to all drugs: political interference should never restrict access to treatments that are already proven safe and effective. This action underscores the risks inherent in maintaining the FDA’s monopoly over drug approval, which can limit medical autonomy and undermine public confidence in regulatory decisions”

You can read more from Singer on this topic here: https://​www​.cato​.org/​b​l​o​g​/​w​h​e​n​-​f​d​a​-​b​e​c​o​m​e​s​-​p​o​l​i​t​i​c​a​l​-​p​a​t​i​e​n​t​s​-​a​u​t​o​n​o​m​y​-​s​u​ffers

To reach Singer, please feel free to contact Emily Salamon at esalamon@​cato.​org