Drug maker, Sprout Pharmaceuticals, is waiting for the third time on the same approval, as the FDA is deciding today on the “Little Pink Pill” that is boasted to enhance sexual desire in women. Otherwise dubbed as “the female Viagra”, the drug aims at helping millions of women suffering from hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).
Flibanserin is said to help boost female libido and has been waiting on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve it to the markets, but has met rejections in 2010 and 2013, after it has been noticed that it caused side-effects that could be harmful to pre-menopausal women, such as drowsiness, fainting and low-blood pressure.
Around 200 medical experts have sent a signed petition to the FDA, claiming that flibanserin could be potentially more detrimental than beneficial, and has also not seen much better results than those who received a placebo in human trials.
In June of this year, Sprout Pharmaceuticals tried again to get their drug on the market, and received slightly better results, as 18 against 6 voted in favor of the flibanserin on the FDA advisory panel. Yet, the decision is still left to the agency itself, which must now give another verdict.
Dr. Sherry Ross, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Santa Monica Women’s Health has stated that the pill does indeed work by stimulating the brain and increasing the number of hormones that help with sexual desire. Female low libido is a common problem among today’s women, who are often attempting to meet the demands of work, family life and battle issues within a relationship.
Others have stated that if such a product is good enough for men, that women should be offered the same option, should they wish it. There are currently 25 pills on the market that help with male-oriented sexual dysfunction, plus the famous Viagra pill that has been available to the public for the last 18 years. However, there are no such FDA approved drugs for women.
Adriane Fugh-Berman, a professor from Georgetown University Medical Center, has stated that it’s not a matter of sexism that the drug has been met with controversy and disapproval. She has claimed that it’s not the a feminist choice to want a lower standard of safety for women, which the drug will provide if approved by the FDA, according to Fugh-Berman.
Dr. Ross, though, has spoken out about the potential benefits of making the drug available for women, who is backed up by others who claimed to have witnessed first-hand the effects of flibanserin.
The conflict will meet another conclusion today, as the FDA will decide if the “Little Pink Pill” will do more good than harm to women who are suffering from affecting conditions to their libido.
Image source: thequint.com
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