What Is the FDA?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the U.S. government agency responsible for regulating food, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, biologic products, and tobacco products. The FDA’s mission is to promote and protect the public health by helping to ensure the safety, effectiveness, and quality of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines, and other biological products, as well as medical devices, food, dietary supplements, and cosmetics. The FDA is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and is overseen by the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, who is appointed by the President of the United States.

The History of the FDA

The FDA has its roots in the early 19th century. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln appointed Dr. Samuel Willey, the first Commissioner of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to investigate the safety of food products. In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt signed the pure food and drug act, which banned the production and sale of contaminated food and drugs. The Act established the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Over the years, the FDA has become more powerful and responsible for an expanding list of products.

The Role of the FDA

The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by ensuring the safety and effectiveness of drugs, medical devices, food, dietary supplements, biologics, tobacco products, and cosmetics. The FDA is also responsible for regulating the production, sale, and distribution of products to ensure that they meet FDA standards. In addition, the FDA works with other government agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to coordinate its efforts in regulating products and preventing disease and illness.

The FDA is a key player in the healthcare system, and its regulatory oversight is essential for ensuring the public health. The FDA plays an important role in ensuring that Americans have access to safe and effective drugs, medical devices, food, dietary supplements, biologics, tobacco products, and cosmetics. The FDA works to maintain the safety and effectiveness of these products, as well as protect the public health by preventing and controlling outbreaks of life threatening illnesses.