U.S. Food and Drug Administration - FDA

Organization URL(s)

www.fda.gov  

Other Contact Information

5600 Fishers Lane
(HFE-88)
Rockville, MD 20857

800-332-1088 (Voice - Toll-free, Medwatch - Medical Products Reporting Program)
800-822-7967 (Voice - Toll-free, Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting Line)
888-463-6332 (Voice - Toll-free, Consumer Inquiries Information Line)

Description

The mission of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to: promote the public health by promptly and efficiently reviewing clinical research and taking appropriate action on the marketing of regulated products in a timely manner; with respect to such products, protect the public health by ensuring that foods are safe, wholesome, sanitary, and properly labeled; human and veterinary drugs are safe and effective; there is reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of devices intended for human use; cosmetics are safe and properly labeled, and; public health and safety are protected from electronic product radiation; participate through appropriate processes with representatives of other countries to reduce the burden of regulation, harmonize regulatory requirements, and achieve appropriate reciprocal arrangements; and, as determined to be appropriate by the Secretary, carry out paragraphs (1) through (3) (of the The FDA Modernization Act of 1997 (PL 105-115) ) in consultation with experts in science, medicine, and public health, and in cooperation with consumers, users, manufacturers, importers, packers, distributors and retailers of regulated products.

Online Resources

• A Handbook for Requesting Information and Records from FDA
  http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/foiahand.html
• Antibiotic Resistance (FDA)
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/anti_resist.html
• Backgrounder for the 2004 FDA/EPA Consumer Advisory: What You Need to Know About Mercury in Fish and Shellfish
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/mercury/backgrounder.html
• Be An Active Member of Your Health Care Team
  http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/active12panelEng.htm
• Beyond Bloodletting: FDA Gives Leeches a Medical Makeover
  http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2004/504_leech.html
• Birth Control Guide
  http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/1997/babytabl.html
• Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/bse.html
• Brain Attack: A Look at Stroke Prevention and Treatment
  http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2005/205_stroke.html
• Breast Implants Information
  http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/breastimplants/index.html
• Buying Medicines and Medical Products Online
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/buyonline/default.htm
• Buying Prescription Medicine Online: A Consumer Safety Guide
  http://www.fda.gov/buyonlineguide/
• Cancer Vaccines: Training the Immune System to Fight Cancer
  http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2004/504_cancer.html
• Catalog of FDA Information for Consumers: Publications and Audiovisuals
  http://www.fda.gov/opacom/catalog/decemcat.html
• Consumer Information from Center for Devices and Radiological Health
  http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/product.html#1
• Controlling Whooping Cough Outbreaks
  http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2005/305_cough.html
• Counterterrorism - U.S. Food and Drug Administration
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/bioterrorism.html
• Dietary Supplements: Ephedrine Alkaloids (Ephedra)
  http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ds-ephed.html
• Drug Interactions
  http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/druginteractions.htm
• Drugs of the Deep: Treasures of the Sea Yield Some Medical Answers and Hint at Others
  http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/1998/198_deep.html
• Easy-to-Read Publications from the FDA
  http://www.fda.gov/opacom/lowlit/7lowlit.html
• Enforcement Report Index - FDA
  http://www.fda.gov/opacom/Enforce.html
• Ensuring the Safety and Security of the Nation's Food Supply
  http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fssrep.html
• Estrogen and Progestin Dilemma: New Advice, Labeling Guidelines
  http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2003/203_estrogen.html
• Fact Sheet on Xenotransplantation
  http://www.fda.gov/cber/xap/xap.htm
• FAQ - About Online Pharmacies
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/buyonline/faqs.html
• FAQs About U.S. Food and Drug Administration
  http://www.fda.gov/opacom/faqs/faqs.html
• FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) Backgrounders
  http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/bckindex.html
• FDA Acts to Provide Better Information to Consumers on Trans Fats
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/transfat/backgrounder.html
• FDA Approves Enbrel to Treat Ankylosing Spondylitis
  http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2003/ANS01240.html
• FDA Approves First Drug Treatment for Late-Stage Cervical Cancer
  http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01391.html
• FDA Approves First Test to Screen Blood Donors for Chagas Disease
  http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01524.html
• FDA Approves First Vaccine to Prevent Cervical Cancer
  http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01385.html
• FDA Approves Implanted Lens to Correct Nearsightedness
  http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2004/ANS01313.html
• FDA Approves New Female Sterilization Device
  http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2002/ANS01168.html
• FDA Approves New HIV Treatment for Patients Who Do Not Respond to Existing Drugs
  http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01395.html
• FDA Approves Novel Medication for Smoking Cessation
  http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01370.html
• FDA Approves Sculptra for HIV Patients
  http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2004/NEW01100.html
• FDA Approves Temporary Artificial Heart
  http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2004/ANS01317.html
• FDA Approves the First Drug for Seasonal Depression
  http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01388.html
• FDA Approves the First Once-a-Day Three-Drug Combination Tablet for Treatment of HIV-1
  http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01408.html
• FDA Approves Zyvox, the First Antimicrobial Drug in a New Class
  http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/ANS01010.html
• FDA Centennial: 1906-2006
  http://www.fda.gov/centennial/
• FDA Clears New Surgical Marker; Uses RFID to Protect Patients
  http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2004/ANS01326.html
• FDA Clears Over-the-Counter Sale of Automatic External Defibrillator
  http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2004/ANS01314.html
• FDA Consumer Health Information: For You and Your Family
  http://www.fda.gov/consumer/
• FDA Consumer Magazine
  http://www.fda.gov/fdac/
• FDA Consumer Safety Alert: Don't buy these drugs over the Internet or from foreign sources
  http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/dontBuyonNet.htm
• FDA Heart Health Online
  http://www.fda.gov/hearthealth/
• FDA Hot Topics
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/default.htm
• FDA Improvements in Drug Safety Monitoring
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/factsheets/drugsafety.html
• FDA Information for Seniors
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/seniors/
• FDA Informs Public of Nationwide Recall of 500mg Strength Store-Brand Acetaminophen Caplets
  http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01507.html
• FDA Issues Advice to Consumers to Reduce Risk of Foodborne Illness from Fresh Produce
  http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01503.html
• FDA Issues Public Health Advisory Recommending Limited Use of Cox-2 Inhibitors
  http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2004/ANS01336.html
• FDA Kids’ Home Page
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/kids/default.htm
• FDA Licenses New Vaccine to Reduce Older Americans’ Risk of Shingles
  http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01378.html
• FDA Proposes Further Action to Improve Farm-to-Table Shell Egg Safety
  http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2004/NEW01117.html
• FDA Public Health Advisory: Update on Use of Doxycycline for Anthrax Exposure
  http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2001/NEW00774.html
• FDA Receives Keystone Forum Report on Away-From-Home Foods
  http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01379.html
• FDA Warns Consumers Not to Use Triaminic Vapor Patch
  http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01392.html
• FDA/EPA Advisory on Seafood Consumption Still Current
  http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01382.html
• FDA's Tips for Taking Medicines
  http://www.fda.gov/fdac/reprints/medtips.html
• First of a Kind in HIV Treatment
  http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2006/606_hiv.html
• Food Labels: High School Kit
  http://www.fda.gov/opacom/catalog/teachkit.html
• Food Safety Quiz for Kids
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/kids/html/wash__hands.htm
• Got Milk? Make Sure It's Pasteurized Got Milk? Make Sure It's Pasteurized
  http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2004/504_milk.html
• Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HAACP): A State-of-the-Art Approach to Food Safety
  http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/bghaccp.html
• Health Hints: Use Caution with Pain Relievers
  http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/analgesics/healthHints.htm
• How to Evaluate Health Information on the Internet
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/evalhealthinfo.html
• How to Lose and Manage Weight: Watch Your Calories, Be Active
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/obesity.html
• How to Report Problems With Products Regulated by FDA
  http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/problem.html
• Hurricanes: Health and Safety Before and After a Storm
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/hurricane.html
• Losing Weight Safely
  http://www.fda.gov/opacom/lowlit/weightls.html
• Low-literacy English-Language Brochures
  http://www.fda.gov/opacom/lowlit/englow.html
• Making an Informed Decision About Breast Implants
  http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2004/504_implants.html
• Medicine Cabinet Word Find
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/kids/html/wordsearch/wordpuzzle.html
• MedWatch Online Voluntary Reporting Form (3500)
  https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/
• Meet Yorick, the Bionic Skeleton
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/kids/html/yorick_no.1.htm
• Menopause and Hormones
  http://www.fda.gov/womens/menopause/
• National Food Safety Education Month: Training & Promotion Ideas
  http://www.foodsafety.gov/~fsg/september.html
• New OTC Drug Facts Label
  http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2002/402_otc.html
• Parents' Corner
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/kids/html/parents__corner.htm
• Pet Food Recall
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/petfood.html
• Prescription Drugs User Fees
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/pdufa/reports.html
• Prevent Your Child From Choking
  http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2005/505_choking.html
• Protecting Consumers From Counterfeit Drugs
  http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2004/304_drug.html
• Public Use Forms and How to Obtain Them (FDA)
  http://www.fda.gov/opacom/morechoices/fdaforms/fdaforms.html
• Questions and Answers about FDA's Actions on Dietary Supplements Containing Ephedrine Alkaloids
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/ephedra/february2004/qa_020604.html
• Questions and Answers on FluMist (Influenza Virus Vaccine Live, Intranasal)
  http://www.fda.gov/cber/flu/flumistqa.htm
• Questions and Answers on Using Over-the-Counter (OTC) Human Drug Products Containing Analgesic/Antipyretic Active Ingredients Safely
  http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/analgesics/QandAanalgesics.htm
• Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts
  http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html
• Reporting Unlawful Sales of Medical Products on the Internet
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/buyonline/buyonlineform.htm
• Sales of Supplements Containing Ephedrine Alkaloids (Ephedra) Prohibited
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/ephedra/february2004/
• Salmonellosis Outbreak in Certain Types of Tomatoes
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html
• Savings From Generic Drugs Purchased at Retail Pharmacies
  http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/savingsfromgenericdrugs.htm
• Spanish Language Publications from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/spanish/english.html
• Spinach and E. coli Outbreak
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/spinach.html
• Tampons and Toxic Shock Syndrome
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tampons.html
• The Fright of the Iguana: Pet Reptiles Pose Risk of Salmonella Infection for Their Owners
  http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/1997/797_rept.html
• The Power of Accutane
  http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2001/201_acne.html
• Think It Through: A Guide to Managing the Benefits and Risks of Medicines
  http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/think.htm
• Update: FDA Investigates E. Coli O157 Cases Associated with Taco Bell Restaurants
  http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01518.html
• What are the Risks or Complications Associated with Liposuction?
  http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/liposuction/risks.html
• What Every Consumer Should Know About Trans Fatty Acids
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/transfat/q_a.html
• What to Do for Colds and Flu
  http://www.fda.gov/opacom/lowlit/clds&flu.html

Print Resources

FDA publications cover such topics as foods, food labeling, nutrition, Federal regulations, cosmetics, medical devices, drugs, poisons, health fraud, radiological health, maternal and child health and many diseases. Serial publications: FDA Consumer, monthly subsciption.

Related Topics

Acetaminophen Analgesics Animal Drugs Antibiotics Antidepressants Aspartame Aspirin Blood Donations Breast Implant Campylobacter Infection Cardiovascular Diseases Condoms Contraception Cosmetics Dietary Supplement Drug Labeling Drugs Dyes Experimental Treatment Federal Clearinghouse Food Safety Fraud Fruits Generic Drugs Heart Disease Home Economics Impotence Intrauterine Device Mammography Medical Device Menstruation Nonprescription Drugs Over-the-Counter Drugs Pharmaceuticals Quackery Saccharin Tobacco Vegetable Drug Allergies Prescription Drugs Dietary Fat Uterine Fibroid Folic Acid Drug Safety Sun Protection Drug Interactions Medicine Recall Hoax Food Recall Kids Sites Antibiotic Resistance

Review Date

Tue Oct 5, 2004