Rx labeling

FDA also repealed the requirement that labels of some habit-forming drugs contain the warning: "Caution: May be habit-forming." The agency significantly extended the deadline for compliance after the pharmaceutical industry protested it would cost over $100 billion to change all the product labels within one year, as FDA had proposed. Instead, the switch to "Rx Only" for approved drugs can be made at the time of the next label revision or by February 19, 2003, whichever comes first. The same timeframe is allowed for unapproved drugs whose applications were submitted before February 19, 1998. Labels for drugs whose applications were submitted after that date must comply immediately.