Editor's Corner


On Friday Barr Laboratories resubmitted its application to make Plan B available without a prescription. Given the FDA's sudden willingness to work out a marketing plan for the contraceptive, Barr has a good shot at finally obtaining an approval that should have come through in 2004. More importantly, it's a chance for the FDA to demonstrate that science and not ideology dictates how it reviews a therapeutic. Given the Bush administration's clear preference for ideology, the FDA may have more difficulties ahead. But for now, there's reason for hope. - John Carroll