To the Editor: I am sending you this report in response to your request.
The Food and Drug Administration's hearings, "in the matter of hydrocortisone and hydrocortisone acetate ointments and lotions, exemption from prescription-dispensing requirements,'' were held from Aug. 15 to Aug. 17, 1956, in the Health, Education and Welfare Building in Washington, D. C. These hearings reflected the democratic process of this country operating at its very best. The hearings were open to the public, and anybody, with the necessary credentials, could testify or cross examine witnesses. Mr. Leonard D. Hardy, Hearing Examiner, conducted the hearings with great fairness and ingenuity. He stated that such hearings have not been held before and that the rules of procedure would have to be developed as the hearings proceeded. In any case, anybody could talk at any length— but under oath. One prominent figure of the hearings was Mr. Alvin L.