Protecting Public Health: A Century of FDA Regulation in the United States

Author: Philip Hilts (USA)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: This book reveals for the first time in full the century-long journey of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amidst complex interests, offering invaluable insights for China's food and drug regulatory cause. It is a documentary literature that captures public attention on life safety and provides an inside look into the U.S. related institutions. The FDA is one of the most authoritative food and drug regulatory agencies in the world and the guardian of public health. Its establishment and development, successes and failures, legends and scandals, are full of warnings and inspiration for every Chinese consumer, government regulator, and food and drug industry professional. The descriptions in this book are profound and vivid, providing us with detailed and lively materials. After reading it, you will gain a fresh perspective on the health and safety of food and drugs around you.
FDA (Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Food and Drug Administration) is the highest law enforcement agency authorized by the U.S. Congress, specializing in the management of food and drugs. The FDA was born in the early 20th century when counterfeit medicines and substandard foods were rampant. At that time, manufacturers bore almost no responsibility for product quality and were reckless in promoting the efficacy of their products. After its establishment, the U.S. government was able to remove toxic "miracle cures" from the shelves for the first time. Today, the FDA has gradually become one of the most important regulatory agencies in the U.S., overseeing nearly 100,000 businesses with an annual output value of over $1 trillion. The FDA plays a core role in safeguarding public health and ensuring quality of life.
This book introduces the FDA's history from its founding over a hundred years ago, particularly its crises and victories, such as its struggle against the tobacco industry, its mistakes in responding to AIDS, its efforts to protect the American people from the dangers of thalidomide, and its crackdown on the various illegal practices of pharmaceutical companies. The FDA's development history is also a story of intense struggles between political, commercial, scientific, and public interest forces. The FDA plays a core role in safeguarding public health and ensuring quality of life. This book introduces the FDA's history from its founding to the present, particularly its crises and victories, such as its struggle against the tobacco industry, its mistakes in responding to AIDS, its efforts to protect the American people from the dangers of thalidomide, and its crackdown on the various illegal practices of pharmaceutical companies. The FDA's development