GHB’s Path to Legitimacy: An Administrative and Legislative History of Xyrem

GHB’s Path to Legitimacy: An Administrative and Legislative History of Xyrem

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GHB’s Path to Legitimacy: An Administrative and Legislative History of Xyrem

dc.contributor.advisor	Hutt, Peter Barton	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Neuman, Ariel
dc.date.accessioned	2012-10-23T13:45:11Z
dc.date.issued	2004
dc.identifier.citation	GHB’s Path to Legitimacy: An Administrative and Legislative History of Xyrem	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:9795464
dc.description.abstract	This paper traces the path of a chemical compound (gamma-hydroxybutyrate, or GHB) from its status as an abused street drug to that of a legitimate, life-altering prescription treatment for a debilitating condition. It is the story of the public and private sectors working hand-in-hand to both protect the public from the detrimental effects of abuse while simultaneously ensuring that the thousands of Americans who need treatment are able to get it. It is also the story of an administrative and legislative system which, at least in this instance, seems to have worked to almost everyone’s satisfaction, despite the number of competing interests that were at stake. At the same time, this paper does not attempt to explain or evaluate medical claims about GHB or Xyrem. Instead, it is a historical account of the administrative and legislative path that led to GHB’s approval as a treatment for cataplexy related to narcolepsy. However, the paper does not take a linear approach to GHB’s history; instead the administrative and legislative processes are treated separately. Although the processes influenced each other in a myriad of ways, they were also distinct enough to require separate discussion. The story of Congress’ unprecedented bifurcated scheduling was surely a result, in part, of the success of Orphan’s clinical trials and pending New Drug Application (“NDA”), and the NDA was only allowed to go forward because of the bifurcated scheduling. Yet, to completely integrate the two stories would be needlessly confusing to the reader.	en_US
dc.language.iso	en_US	en
dash.license	LAA
dc.subject	Food and Drug Law	en_US
dc.subject	FDA	en_US
dc.subject	GHB	en_US
dc.title	GHB’s Path to Legitimacy: An Administrative and Legislative History of Xyrem	en_US
dc.type	Paper (for course/seminar/workshop)	en_US
dc.date.available	2012-10-23T13:45:11Z