THE EFFECT OF FDA'S POLICIES ON THE DECREASING EFFECTIVENESS OF ANTIBIOTICS

Abstract

This paper will evaluate the effect that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has had on the drug resistance problem and will consider how the FDA could tailor its regulatory policies to better safeguard the effectiveness of the American antibiotic supply. The discussion will be divided in two parts. First, we will look at the consequences of FDA's approach to controlling the dissemination of antibiotics. Secondly, we will examine the effect that FDA policies have had on the development of new antibiotics. In both parts, we will consider how the FDA's present approach may be improved upon.