Dem Rep. Crockett to FDA Commissioner: ‘Would You Consider Erectile Dysfunction as a Lifesaving Usage for Viagra?’

Crockett: “Yes, but I’m going to give you another question that you can answer. Would you consider erectile dysfunction as a lifesaving usage for Viagra?”

CALIFF: “Not lifesaving.”

Crockett: “Not lifesaving, okay. Well, I’m going to tell you that, based on my research, that Mifepristone actually has lifesaving characteristics, yet Viagra doesn’t. And for those that don’t know, Viagra, from my understanding, is actually nearly 10 times greater as it relates to risk of death. Yet, for some reason, it’s not sitting in the court right now. And I appreciate the fact that you laid out that when it comes down to getting drugs approved, they actually go through trials. It’s not just randomness. You take the randomness, you then say maybe there’s some evidence here, and then you put it through the wringer. After putting it through the wringer for decades, women’s lives have been saved. And as a representative from the area that Roe v. Wade actually initiated, I am appalled because for whatever reason, some people want us to go back to horse and buggy in this country, and I think, since now maybe we have the internet, maybe we should take advantage of it and we shouldn’t say that we should remain in the times of horse and buggy. And so, with that, thank you for the work that the FDA does. I respect your research. I recognize that the courts don’t do research. I also recognize that this chamber seemingly doesn’t care about research, but because of the work that you do, there are lives that are being saved and I need you to be funded to the fullest extent to make sure that we can continue to save American lives. Thank you.”