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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). It is responsible for providing protection to consumers of various products and advancing the public's health by supporting innovations that improve these products. It also assists in educating the public on topics associated with these to improve the public's knowledge and foster safer and more educated decision making. In 1930 the FDA became official and adopted the name and foundational responsibilities we are familiar with today. In fact, the department has been regulating food and drugs since 1906 when the Pure Food and Drugs Act was passed. This was a law that prohibited interstate commerce of tainted and incorrectly branded food and drugs. Today, the FDA regulates a number of consumer products, including food, drugs, medical equipment, vaccines, veterinary items, cosmetics, radiation-emitting items and tobacco. The FDA does not regulate such things as the advertising of unregulated products, alcohol, household products, health insurance, most pesticides, or water. There are eight primary sectors, or Centers, within the FDA that focus on specific products and practices, and each maintains an overall surveillance of their area of expertise. Part of the ongoing surveillance and consumer service includes public advisories and updates, recalls and public health notifications. In addition, the FDA Centers issue publications offering advice, guidance, usage guides and warnings along with compliance and regulatory information. These Centers take into account: ?1. Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, including labeling, nutrition, dietary supplements and additives 2. Drug Evaluation and Research, incl. online pharmaceuticals & counterfeit drugs 3. Medical Devices Evaluation and Testing, incl. hearing aids, Lasik surgery & glucose testing devices 4. Biologics, Vaccines & Blood Evaluation and Research, incl. biosimilar medications, generic drugs & counterfeit meds. 5. Animal and Veterinary Medicine, incl. pet food, cloning & animal health literacy 6. Cosmetics, incl. labeling, ingredient safety, color additives & tanning products 7. Radiological Health, incl. mammography, CT scans, cell phones, tanning booths/equipment & other radiation-emitting products 8. Tobacco and tobacco related products Since 1971 the FDA has conducted its scientific research through its National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR), which provides scientific technology, training, and technical expertise. The FDA regards the NCTR as an important research component. The NCTR plays a critical role in carrying out the mission of the FDA and DHHS, which is to promote and protect the public health. The FDA website provides ongoing news and updates critical for anyone desiring to stay informed on breaking news and regulations within the FDA purview. Author’s Biography: John Horton is President and Founder of LegitScript, and a former aide in the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). After five years working for the “Drug Czar,” John Horton founded LegitScript with the intent of helping people be sure that they are buying safe and genuine prescription medication on the Internet. LegitScript, is an internet enforcement service group, that has been successfully investigating sites to determine whether or not such sites are in compliance with the law and accepted standards of medical and pharmacy practice ethics.
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