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health18h ago
The battle to get ‘female Viagra’ to market — and how ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ played a role
- The Pink Pill, Addyi, finally gained FDA approval after a protracted six-year campaign to address gender bias in drug approvals.
- Addyi, originally developed as an antidepressant, was repurposed to treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women.
- FDA granted a black box warning for Addyi due to risks including low blood pressure and fainting when mixed with alcohol.
- Addyi received FDA approval in 2015 to treat HSDD in premenopausal women, with a black box safety warning.
- The documentary 'The Pink Pill' won the Audience Award at DOC NYC for highlighting real women's struggles with HSDD.
- The film features personal stories, including a breast cancer survivor and a woman who faced divorce due to low sex drive.
- Grey's Anatomy branding influenced the pill's name to Addyi, as co-founder Eckert explained.
- The 2025 expansion added postmenopausal women under 65 to Addyi's approved use.
- The campaign argued it was sexist to have many drugs for men's sexual dysfunction but none for women.
- The article notes ongoing safety concerns and training for prescribers to educate patients on Addyi risks with alcohol.
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