Chicago Defective Drug Lawyer - Article

Drug Safety and the FDA

The Food and Drug Administration is a federal agency, created in the early 20th century, whose task is to oversee safety regulations for a variety of products, including foods, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and cosmetics. The FDA is perhaps best known for its extensive regulation of the pharmaceutical industry; it has the authority to oversee virtually all aspects of a new drug’s testing, manufacturing, and marketing processes.

As the primary regulatory agency for such a significant segment of the American economy – not to mention the primary regulatory agency for products which primarily affect the health and well-being of the public, the FDA is almost constantly at the center of controversy.

FDA Regulatory Controversy

On one side are groups of consumer advocates who believe that the FDA has neglected its regulatory duties, and severely under-regulates pharmaceutical products because of influence from wealthy corporations. These critics allege that the FDA lets too many unsafe drugs slip through its nets and succumbs to pressure from pharmaceutical giants to delay recall orders of drugs which prove to have dangerous side effects.

Others, on the other hand, say that the FDA’s over-regulation of the drug industry creates more problems than it solves. Though some of these critics are affiliated with the pharmaceutical industry, leading to accusations of bias, many are consumer advocates who point to studies which show that the FDA’s regulation delays the approval of lifesaving medications, drives up the cost for those that eventually do make it onto the market, and impedes the granting of over-the-counter status to important drugs.

Despite the regulations enforced by the Food and Drug Administration, dangerous products and pharmaceuticals can and do make it into the hands of American consumers. If you or your loved ones have been harmed by defective or dangerous drugs, contact a Chicago defective drug lawyer from Friedman & Bonebrake, P.C. by calling 312-466-8200.