FDA

[[image:http://www.hopkins-arthritis.org/arthritis-news/images/2008/fda-logo.jpg width="248" height="199" caption="FDA Logo"]] **Food and Drug Administration**
**__Overview__** The FDA is an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services and consists of several centers and offices around the country. In short, the FDA is responsible for protecting the public health. They do this by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. The FDA is responsible for advancing the public health by speeding up the innovations of food and medicine. This allow the for a safer, more affordable, and allowing the public to be well informed. With the help of the FDA it allows for proper labeling, drug manufacturing standards just to name a few of the many responsibilities.



**__History__** The Food and Drug Administration is the oldest comprehensive consumer protection agency in the U. S. federal government. It dates back to the Patent Office around 1848 to carry out chemical analysis of agricultural. In 1930, the name was changed to FDA to help with the passage of the 1906 Pure Food and Drugs Act, which was a law that prohibited interstate commerce in administrating and miss branding food and drugs.

**__Becoming a Partner and a Collaborator__** The FDA enhances science through collaborations with other agencies and companies. The Food and Drug Administration is interested in partnering with the stakeholders to further its public health mission. By leveraging resources and expertise, through appropriate mechanisms, FDA can effectively collaborate to address critical public health needs and bridge scientific gaps, thereby stimulating innovation in the products we regulate. Collaborations can be formalized through multiple mechanisms including, but not limited to Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), contracts, Co-operative agreements, or through innovative public-private partnerships. The FDA will give preference to ideas and proposals which will enhance the delivery of mission-related FDA functions and do not require funding from the FDA.

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