The Brief

The FDA is removing a long-standing warning from hormone-based drugs used to treat menopause symptoms in women.

FDA and HHS officials said the labels stemmed from a study published more than 20 years ago and were outdated and unnecessary.

They said the so-called "black box" labels also discouraged prescriptions and scared off women who could benefit.

Hormone-based drugs taken during menopause will no longer carry a bold warning label, the Food and Drug Administration announced this week.

The so-called "black box" label that is being removed is the strongest warning for prescription drugs that the FDA can require.

What they're saying:

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and some other doctors have long criticized the current warning for these drugs as outdated and unnecessary.

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