Supreme Court Ruling Could Redefine FDA's Power
Landmark Decision Challenges Agency's Ability to Interpret Statutes
Groundbreaking Ruling Raises Questions About Future of Food and Drug Regulation
In a groundbreaking decision that will have far-reaching implications for American health care, the Supreme Court has overturned a long-standing precedent that gave the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) broad authority to interpret federal statutes.
The ruling, issued in a 6-3 decision on Friday, strikes down the so-called Chevron doctrine, which has been a cornerstone of FDA regulation for nearly four decades.
The Chevron doctrine allowed the FDA to issue rules and regulations that had the force of law, even if those rules were not explicitly spelled out in the statutes the agency was tasked with enforcing.
The Supreme Court's decision in West Virginia v. EPA found that the Chevron doctrine violated the principle of separation of powers by allowing an agency to make laws without proper authority from Congress.
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