Documentary ‘The Pink Pill’ Details Fight for FDA Approval of Female Libido Drug

A new documentary, “The Pink Pill: Sex, Drugs & Who Has Control,” chronicles the contentious battle to gain FDA approval for Addyi, a drug intended to increase sexual desire in women – often referred to as “female Viagra.”

The film, directed by Aisling Chin-Yee, focuses on Cindy Eckert, the founder of Sprout Pharmaceuticals, and her company’s struggle against regulatory hurdles and public criticism while attempting to bring Addyi to market. “How do you take on the government for women’s sexual pleasure? You lean right into it and say, ‘This is the conversation we’re going to have,’” Eckert says in a clip from the documentary. The fight for Addyi’s approval highlighted a significant disparity in how the FDA historically approached treatments for male versus female sexual dysfunction.

Produced by Julie Bristow and Abby Greensfelder, “The Pink Pill” will premiere at DOC NYC on November 15. Sphere Abacus will begin selling the film to international buyers at MIPCOM next week, with Paramount+ set to release it in Canada in early 2026. Chin-Yee expressed hope that the film will “spark a wider conversation about a more equitable healthcare system,” and spotlight systemic bias against women’s health needs, as reported by the Food and Drug Administration.

The documentary’s revelations center on allegations of gender bias within the FDA, suggesting that a drug aimed at improving female pleasure was initially dismissed as unimportant or even potentially harmful. Executive producers include Bristow, Greensfelder, Chin-Yee, Vibika Bianchi, and Joanna Griffiths, founder of Knix, a company supporting Docs for Change, a film funding initiative. Officials anticipate the film will fuel further debate about equitable access to sexual health treatments.