Thursday, an FDA advisory committee voted 18-6 in favor of the commercialization of a new drug for females that is similar to Viagra, clearing a major hurdle. However, the major decision still falls on the Food and Drug Administration itself and could take the recommendation of the advisory panel, according to CNN.
The drug, Flibanserin, aims to treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women. The drug could alleviate the condition of women who have a lack or absence of sexual desire or fantasy.
Dr. Margery Gass, a sexual dysfunction expert at Cleveland Clinic, told CNN after the advisory panel vote that if the drug is approved by the FDA, it would be a good thing for women to have something to try and ease the premenopausal condition.
This is the third time that Flibanserin, a product of Sprout Pharmaceuticals, was reviewed by an FDA advisory committee, CNN added.
If approved by the FDA, doctors might be required to inform patients of the potential side effects such as low blood pressure, nausea, dizziness and even fainting, according to the New York Times.
A controversial women's campaign was launched to give the drug a boost. Under the banner Even the Score, the group accused the FDA of gender bias because it had approved Viagra for men and women were left with no options.
