One argument is that the FDA is too conservative. Take the example of a terminal cancer patient. There might be an experimental treatment that would offer the

One argument is that the FDA is too conservative. Take the example of a terminal cancer patient. There might be an experimental treatment that would offer them another month or three, or it could kill them immediately. If they are okay with that gamble, then why not let them? If it works out then we as a society have gained valuable information about a new treatment option. If it doesn't work out, we have also gained valuable information. Or, for a less life-and-death example, the FDA shouldn't be overly concerned with sunscreen ingredients [0]. I don't think the FDA should go away, but I think there is room for improvement. Maybe we could have some harmonization with similar agencies in EU countries, automatically granting approval for drugs available there. Crap, maybe if we just did it for sunscreen it would be a win for consumers. [0] http://cen.acs.org/articles/93/i20/Decade-FDA-Still-Wont-Allow.html http://cen.acs.org/articles/93/i20/Decade-FDA-Still-Wont-All...