Statement from FDA Commissioner on new efforts to empower consumers by advancing access to nonprescription drugs

FDA

17 July 2018 - At the FDA, we’re continuing to look at ways we can foster greater access to the medicines that help keep people healthy. 

We are considering all options for positively impacting both access and the cost of health care, and today we are announcing a new effort to establish innovative approaches to increase access to a broader selection of nonprescription drug products for consumers, empowering them to self-treat common conditions and potentially some chronic conditions.

While the FDA doesn’t have a direct role in the cost of medicines, we’re very mindful of the time and financial cost to patients and the health care system to fill a prescription medicine – particularly one taken repeatedly for chronic conditions. Our hope is that the steps we’re taking to advance this new, more modern framework will contribute to lower costs for our health care system overall and provide greater efficiency and empowerment for consumers by increasing the availability of certain products that would otherwise be available only by prescription.

Read FDA statement

Michael Wonder

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Michael Wonder