For the past few summer recesses, lawmakers have been dismayed to find that there is no longer “sweat proof” or “instant protection” sun tan lotion on sale to keep the harmful rays at bay. These choices were taken off shelves across the country because of regulations finalized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) more than six years ago banishing broad sunscreen claims without evidence. This is just one of countless regulatory battles that the FDA has engaged in over the years, ranging from cosmetics rules to e-cigarettes. While the agency has furthered important consumer protections since its creation in 1906 and recently allowed a quicker “right to try” process for medications (and medical procedures), the FDA has also repeatedly overstepped its bounds and diminished innovation in the process. The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) has enough Summer Reading on the subject to keep members of Congress occupied for hours on the beach, hopefully under the protection of an umbrella instead of a government bureaucrat.
