The Little Pink Pill: 'Women's Viagra' To Be Reviewed By FDA After Possible Sex Bias
The counterpart to Viagra’s “little blue pill” is now being pushed for yet another FDA review, after its advocates argue that women have a right to libido-enhancing drugs just as much as men. The drug, known as flibanserin or the “little pink pill,” was initially rejected twice by the FDA due to concerns on its efficacy or side effects — but it will now be re-evaluated.
“There are 26 FDA-approved drugs to treat various sexual dysfunctions for men [41 if you count generics!], but still not a single one for women’s most common sexual complaint,” states an Even the Score petition, which is advocating for the drug. “Why do we fast track the approval of drugs like Viagra [1998] for men? … Sex is a basic human right. If individuals have a medical condition that affects their sexual function, men or women, we believe they deserve access to medical treatment options and the opportunity to make a choice with their health care provider on whether or not that treatment is right for them.”
The petition has gathered some 40,000 signatures; the FDA is considering approving the drug on June 4. Previously, it had rejected it due to questions about its efficacy and side effects like sleepiness and nausea — and the FDA had claimed that its benefit to women wasn’t worth all the side effects. But many women suffer from hypoactive sexual desire disorder, which involves a lack of interest in sex that causes distress in their personal lives and relationships — and a drug could be significantly beneficial for them.
In addition, the Even the Score campaign argues that the FDA’s inability to continue reviewing and eventually approving the drug comes down to sex bias — arguing that men have had plenty of drug options for decades whereas not one “women’s Viagra” has been approved.
To further understand the campaign’s motives, watch the satirical advertisement they created below.