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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It consists of the Office of the Commissioner and four directorates overseeing the core functions of the agency: Medical Products and Tobacco, Foods and Veterinary Medicine, Global Regulatory Operations and Policy, and Operations.

FDA is responsible for

• protecting the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, quality, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products, and medical devices. The FDA is also responsible for the safety and security of most of our nation’s food supply, all cosmetics, dietary supplements and products that give off radiation.
• regulating tobacco products. More...

FDA Overview

• What does FDA do?
• What does FDA regulate?
• How is FDA organized?
• How many people are employed by FDA and in what areas do they work?
• What is the difference between the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), FDA regulations, and FDA guidance?
• What is FDA Basics for Industry?
• FDA at a Glance: Overview of FDA responsibilities and resources

FDA History

• When and why was FDA formed?
• How did the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act come about?

Advisory Committees

• What is an FDA Advisory Committee?
• What is a conflict of interest?

Other

• Is it legal for me to personally import drugs?
• What does FDA inspect?