Conservatism, Consumer Choice, and the Food and Drug Administration during the Reagan Era

The narrative delves into the contentious landscape of pharmaceutical regulation during the late 20th century, highlighting the tensions among politicians, interest groups, and drug industry leaders. Central to this conflict was the Food and Drug Administration, criticized from both political extremes for its regulatory approach. The backdrop of a struggling economy in the late 1970s intensified the stakes, as debates over product innovation, consumer protection, and market choice took center stage, impacting both the industry and the American public.