National women's health network and the US FDA: Two decades of activism

Abstract

The National Women's Health Network (NWHN) in the United States works for more power for women at all levels of health care decision-making. This paper describes some of the campaigns carried outby the Network since the 1970s to influence US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines and policy. These include: requirements for patient package inserts for oral contraceptives, oestrogen during menopause, and drugs for pregnant women. The Network has also consistently taken up the safety and efficacy of drugs and devices used by women. It has opposed approval of Depo Provera, supported approval of the Prentif cervical cap and the female condom, opposed a large trial of tamoxifen for prevention of breast cancer in healthy women because of its risks, and supported studies on the safety ofbreast implants.