An angry debate has erupted between those who argue that women should have the right to take the pill and those who question the science behind it.
After more than 10 years of development, the Food and Drug Administration has signed off on a new drug that would boost the female libido — and it’s being called “female Viagra.”
The drug is called flibanserin, and it is a pill that would supposedly increase the sexual satisfaction in women, according to an Al Jazeera report.
An FDA advisory panel approved the pill last week, even though it had been rejected two previous times by the agency. The FDA now has until Aug. 18 to come to a final decision on the issue.
This “little pink pill” has been the center of a great deal of controversy. While many argue that the drug should have been approved years ago, but others argue whether sexual dysfunction in women is really all that common.
Viagra created a marketing sensation back in the 1990s when it was approved for treating erectile dysfunction caused by blood flow issues. But that drug treated a mechanical problem, not a problem with sexual desire. Flibanserin, on the other hand, was originally meant to be an antidepressant, so rather than being an equivalent to “the little blue pill,” flibanserin is an entirely new class of drug that would be the first sexual desire pill ever released.
The pill is made by Sprout Pharmaceuticals, which purchased the rights to the drug despite the FDA rejecting it unanimously over safety concerns. However, the company persisted, even raising $50 million from investors to push the pill.
Women’s rights advocates are hailing the decision as a breakthrough not seen since “the pill” was approved back in the 1960s. Some have even gone as far as accusing the FDA of being sexist for rejecting the bill before.
However, those who work in the scientific field of sexual health argue that equality for women is not a reason to approve a harmful drug. They argue that the issue is being politicized and women are being told that because men have a pill, women should have one too no matter what the cost.
Nevertheless, the drug appears set to hit the market one way or another thanks to the FDA’s approval.
