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FDA Urged to Expand OTC Access to Safer Drugs

2/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) faces calls to expand over-the-counter access to safer drugs, citing regulatory inconsistencies.
Albuterol remains prescription-only in the United States, though safer than epinephrine and OTC in many countries.
Experts say the FDA should broaden access to birth control and HIV prophylactic drugs, while economists propose reversing the burden of proof for drug approval to enable the shift.

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Story summary

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) faces calls to expand over-the-counter access to safer drugs, citing regulatory inconsistencies.
Albuterol remains prescription-only in the United States, though safer than epinephrine and OTC in many countries.
Experts say the FDA should broaden access to birth control and HIV prophylactic drugs, while economists propose reversing the burden of proof for drug approval to enable the shift.