U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Overview
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a federal agency of the Department of Health and Human Services. The FDA is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the control and supervision of food safety, tobacco products, dietary supplements, prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical drugs (medications), vaccines, biopharmaceuticals, blood transfusions, medical devices, electromagnetic radiation emitting devices (ERED), cosmetics, animal foods & feed, and veterinary products.
History
The FDA's origins can be traced back to the appointment of Lewis Caleb Beck in the Patent Office around 1848 to carry out chemical analyses of agricultural products. The agency was officially established in 1906 with the passage of the Federal Food and Drugs Act.
Organization and Structure
The FDA is an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services and is led by a Commissioner of Food and Drugs, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Commissioner reports to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The agency has six main product centers, four research centers, and two offices.
Regulatory Programs
The FDA carries out its regulatory functions through several programs which oversee various aspects of the industries it regulates. These programs include the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, the Center for Devices and Radiological Health, and the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, among others.
Criticisms and Controversies
Over the years, the FDA has faced various criticisms and controversies related to its regulatory practices and decisions. These have included issues related to drug approval processes, food safety regulations, and the agency's relationship with the industries it regulates.