It would seem that the agency is
afraid to approve anything that may prove controversial or damaging to the public, in any way, shape or form.
This time the issue is contraception/abortion:
FDA official quits due to contraceptive delay
Susan Wood, the FDA's assistant commissioner for women's health and director of its office of women's health, has resigned from her post, citing the agency's failure to approve Barr Pharmaceuticals' Plan B birth control medication as her reason for leaving. Last week, the FDA reported that it is prolonging its decision regarding the approval of the "morning-after" contraceptive. Wood said that she could not accept a decision that "continues to limit women's access to a product that would reduce unintended pregnancies and reduce abortions" and that it "is contrary to my core commitment to improving and advancing women's health."
While I agree with her wholeheartedly, this agency ultimately has to answer to the legislative branch, one controlled by "moral" conservatives that ideologically repress women who don't believe their views.
Until a more womens' rights friendly Congress is elected, this will be norm; any issue that may have anything to do with women's rights, contraception or abortion will automatically be rejected.