FDA panel backs 'female Viagra' approval, controversially

An FDA panel backed approval of a "female Viagra" pill
(Image credit: Even the Score/YouTube)

On Thursday, a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel voted, 18 to 6, in favor of approving flibanserin, a drug that has shown a modest effect on female libido. The FDA usually follows the advice of its expert committees, but many of those who voted in favor did so reluctantly, noting the small boost in desire demonstrated by Sprout Pharmaceutical's libido pill and the side effects. A similar panel unanimously rejected the drug five years ago, and the FDA has said no twice in the same period. The agency will issue its decision by Aug. 18.

Although flibanserin is often called the "female Viagra," it would actually be the first drug approved for increasing sexual desire in either sex; Viagra and other "erectile dysfunction" drugs treat physical impotence. Before the vote, the FDA panel heard almost two hours of testimony, mostly from supporters of the drug, some flown in by Sprout. (You can watch Katherine Campbell, one of the supporters Sprout flew in, tell her story.)

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.