How Does the FDA Work?

Protecting Public Health

The FDA oversees the protection of the public's health by ensuring that ingestible consumer goods, and those which directly affect the body externally, are safe. The goods involve everyday food products you purchase at the grocery store, but they also include the medications you may receive at the pharmacy, the flu shot you get at the doctor's office, and also the lotions and soaps you use on a daily basis.

Working Cooperatively With Government Agencies

In order to ensure that the public health is protected, the FDA works with other governmental agencies. For example, the FDA and the Drug Enforcement Administration may work together in an effort to avoid the sale of counterfeit prescription drugs. The FDA may work wit the Consumer Product Safety Commission if there is a suspicion that a gadget used to introduce medicine into the body contains materials that are unsafe or unsanitary.

Educating the Public About the Danger of Unproven Dietary Supplements

With the Internet being used by marketers selling nonprescription dietary supplements for a variety of conditions, the FDA promotes public safety by educating consumers about the risks these dietary supplements may present. The FDA also provides an extensive website with consumer alerts that name individual ingredients or supplements by name; these alerts point to specific problems that have been encountered by consumers who tried these products and offer advice with respect to what the best course of action may be if these similar situations are encountered by others.

Drug Advertisements Scrutinized

The FDA keeps a watchful eye on drug manufacturer ads to ensure that they are truthful, do not suggest off label usage, and also provide an adequate explanation of the risks the particular drug carries.

Encouraging Interaction with Consumers

The Food and Drug Administration encourages consumers to report problems to them via phone or though the website. Concerned individuals may report problems with vaccines, nutritional supplements, food, prescription drugs, and also cosmetics and other items overseen by the FDA. Quite often this allows the FDA to concentrate its protection efforts and quickly issue alerts if a certain item is reported more than once. It also alerts the investigative staff to check into the problem and---if necessary---require a manufacturer recall of the item in question. A link to the consumer complaint section is included in the resources.

Resources

• Visit the Food and Drug Administration at the FDA.gov site.
• Complain to FDA.gov about a particular product.