Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a regulatory agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. It is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety, tobacco products, dietary supplements, prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical drugs (medications), vaccines, biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other products such as cosmetics, veterinary drugs, and radiation-emitting devices. The FDA regulates these products to ensure they are safe and effective for their intended use, and that they meet certain quality standards. The FDA also monitors the safety and efficacy of marketed products, takes action against products that are found to be unsafe or not effective, and provides information to healthcare professionals and the public.