Scientists pleading fluoride’s case at a public meeting hosted by the Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday were given a cold reception by the agency’s new drug czar.
George Tidmarsh, who became director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research on Monday, didn’t seem convinced of the benefits of ingestible fluoride supplements for children who live in areas with low or no water fluoridation.
“We’ve got to look at a risk-benefit analysis. And since this isn’t approved, it’s never been through the rigorous FDA process of saying there’s a benefit that outweighs the risk,” Tidmarsh told NOTUS about the fluoride supplements. “And if there’s not, then, you know, we should probably act.”