Can I trust the FDA? (from thalidomide to cough medicine)

Chemistry For Your Life

#206

Melissa and Jam address a listener's question about the FDA's reliability in approving products. They discuss the intersection of chemistry, government, and society, focusing on FDA's role in regulating food and drugs. The episode includes a deep dive into the historical thalidomide tragedy, the improvements in the FDA's approval process since then, and the nuances of trusting FDA-approved products. Through personal insights, they emphasize the complexities and challenges faced by the FDA in ensuring public safety.

00:00 Introduction: What is the FDA Up To?
00:18 Listener's Question: Trusting FDA Approvals
01:11 Deep Dive: FDA's Role and Responsibilities
03:35 Case Study: Cold Medicine and Phenylephrine
04:18 Thalidomide: A Historical Lesson
10:11 The Role of Frances Kelsey
13:44 FDA's Evolution and Current Challenges
23:22 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

References from this episode:

1. https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/biological-sciences-articles/courageous-physician-scientist-saved-the-us-from-a-birth-defects-catastrophe
2. https://www.gao.gov/assets/hrd-82-3.pdf
3. https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-revoke-authorization-use-red-no-3-food-and-ingested-drugs
4. https://cen.acs.org/food/food-ingredients/Editorial-Fewer-risky-food-colors/102/i26

Thanks to our monthly supporters

• Julie S
• Heather R
• Autoclave
• Chelsea M
• Dorien V
• Scott B
• Jessie R
• Ciara L
• J0HNTR0Y
• Jeannette N
• Cullyn R
• Erica B
• Elizabeth P
• Sarah M
• Rachel R
• Letila
• Katrina B
• Suzanne P
• Venus R
• Lyn S
• Jacob T
• Brian K
• Emerson W
• Kristina G
• Timothy P
• Steven B
• Chris and Claire S
• Chelsea B
• Avishai B
• Hunter R

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ ★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★

Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

Watch our episodes on YouTube

Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife