The Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS. Originally founded in 1906 to ensure the safety and purity of American food and pharmaceuticals, the agency has expanded to regulate prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vaccines, medical devices, veterinary products, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and tobacco products. Each year, the FDA regulates over $1 trillion worth of consumer goods–about 25% of all U.S. consumer expenditures. The FDA employs over 10,000 full-time employees and is organized into agencies charged with the regulation of different products.
The FDA has several centers that regulate drugs and devices, including:
