The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a federal agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services responsible for protecting public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, food supply, cosmetics, and radiation-emitting products. The FDA regulates the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of these products and conducts inspections, reviews clinical trial data, and enforces regulatory compliance.
Key Functions of the FDA:
- Drug Approval: Evaluates clinical trial data to approve new drugs and therapies for market release.
- Medical Devices: Reviews and approves medical devices for safety and effectiveness.
- Food Safety: Regulates the safety of food products, including dietary supplements.
- Biologics: Oversees the approval and regulation of biological products such as vaccines and blood products.
- Cosmetics and Radiation-Emitting Products: Ensures the safety of cosmetics and radiation-emitting devices like X-rays and microwave ovens.
- Regulatory Enforcement: Conducts inspections and enforces compliance with regulatory standards.