[no-name-here]

> why again does the FDA exist?

Is the argument that because the FDA may not be perfect, the public would be better off if it didn’t exist?

The FDA handles many thousands of product categories, tens of thousands of prescription drugs, etc. Which items (and how many total) are you referring to? For many of them might there be a reason available as to why they didn’t end up as you recommended?

Is there any country on earth without an FDA where you think the result is better than the US’s FDA?

[alistairSH]

Sunscreen is the first thing that pops to mind. Until last week(?) we hadn't had a new sunscreen ingredient in decades, despite the RoW getting newer/better stuff for years. It was to the point that tourists to Korea and the EU would stock up on product to bring back.

Yes, that (roughly) happened because the FDA regulates sunscreen like a drug and RoW mostly treats it as a cosmetic. And FDA drug approval is expensive, so nobody was bothering.

Regardless, for those of us with pasty white skin, it kinda blows not being able to get a good daily sunscreen that doesn't make us look even more ghostly.

EDIT - Yes, the FDA needs to exist, it's WAY better than nothing. But, it's probably due for some reform.