FDA Botches Updates to Prescription Authorization System, Leaving Vulnerable Americans Without Critical Medication

Last month, dermatologists and pharmacists around the U.S. discovered they could no longer prescribe or dispense isotretinoin, an important dermatological medication, after the Food and Drug Administration botched software updates to the drug’s online reporting system known as iPledge. The updates weren’t adequately tested before they were launched, resulting in doctors unable to use the system and instead waiting for hours on the phone with the FDA to get prescription approvals. The system requires both prescribers and pharmacists to get authorization before any isotretinoin (commonly known by the brand name…

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