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"Stated most simply, FDA's mission is to promote and protect the
public health by helping safe and effective products reach the market
in a timely way, and monitoring products for continued safety after
they are in use. Our work is a blending of law and science aimed at
protecting consumers."
"FDA is the federal agency responsible for ensuring that foods
are safe, wholesome and sanitary; human and veterinary drugs,
biological products, and medical devices are safe and effective;
cosmetics are safe; and electronic products that emit radiation are
safe. FDA also ensures that these products are honestly, accurately
and informatively represented to the public."
"Some of the agency's specific responsibilities include:
Biologics:
- product and manufacturing establishment licensing
- safety of the nation's blood supply
- research to establish product standards and develop improved
testing methods
Cosmetics:
- labeling
- adverse reactions
- alpha hydroxy acids
Drugs:
- product approvals
- OTC and prescription drug labeling
- drug manufacturing standards
Electronic Products:
- radiation safety performance standards for microwave ovens, cell
phones, television receivers, diagnostic x-ray equipment, cabinet
x-ray systems (such as baggage x-rays at airports), laser
products, ultrasonic therapy equipment, mercury vapor lamps, and
sunlamps
- accrediting and inspecting mammography facilities
Foods:
- labeling
- safety of all food products (except meat and poultry)
- bottled water
Medical Devices:
- premarket approval of new devices
- manufacturing and performance standards
- tracking reports of device malfunctioning and serious adverse
reactions
Veterinary Products:
- livestock feeds
- pet foods
- veterinary drugs and devices
When Does FDA Get Involved?
FDA has legal jurisdiction over products shipped in interstate
commerce. A product that is manufactured, shipped and marketed within
a state is not, in most cases, subject to FDA regulation. Often,
states will adopt guidelines, and they are responsible for ensuring
compliance. Consumers with questions or complaints about products that
are not involved in interstate commerce should contact their state
governments.
Individual states are also responsible for licensing and monitoring
the conduct of physicians, pharmacists, and other health-care
professionals. State and local governments are also responsible for
the inspection and regulation of establishments such as restaurants
and health spas."
Further information on the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM)
The Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) regulates the manufacture and distribution of food additives and drugs that will be given to animals. These include animals from which human foods are derived, as well as food additives and drugs for pet (or companion) animals. CVM is responsible for regulating drugs, devices, and food additives given to, or used on, over one hundred million companion animals, plus millions of poultry, cattle, swine, and minor animal species. (Minor animal species include animals other than cattle, swine, chickens, turkeys, horses, dogs, and cats.)
The Center for Veterinary Medicine is a consumer protection organization. We foster public and animal health by approving safe and effective products for animals and by enforcing applicable provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and other authorities.
The Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is responsible for assuring that animal drugs and medicated feeds are safe and effective and that food from treated animals is safe to eat. This authority is derived from the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act). The Act was amended in 1968 to include sections which specifically address animal drugs. These amendments were designed to ensure that animal drugs are safe and effective for their intended uses and that they do not result in unsafe residues in foods.
One of CVM's highest priorities is assuring the safety of the food supply. And, because of the Center's work and the cooperative efforts of all FDA employees, the American food supply is among the safest in the world.
The responsibilities of CVM have a direct effect on the safety of the human food supply and on the safety to animals of veterinary products.
CVM works to educate consumers as well as the regulated industry; evaluates data on proposed veterinary products carefully before permitting them to be marketed; discovers volatile marketed products through surveillance programs, and initiates legal action, if necessary, to bring violators into compliance with the law; and conducts research to support Center activities.
Whether developing and disseminating information, approving animal drug products for marketing, monitoring marketed animal drug products, or conducting research, CVM is committed to the important goal of protecting animal and human health throughout the United States.
Mission Statement
The Center for Veterinary Medicine is a consumer protection organization. We foster public and animal health by approving safe and effective products for animals and by enforcing other applicable provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and other authorities.
Vision Statement
We are an internationally recognized public health organization responsible for the evaluation, approval and/or surveillance of animal drugs, food additives, feed ingredients, and animal devices. We are proactive in our efforts to increase the availability and diversity of safe and effective products that relieve animal pain and suffering, sustain their health, improve animal productivity and do not compromise public health. We adapt, align and utilize our resources wisely and make practical use of state of the art science and technologies to best accomplish our mission. People with expertise in product evaluation, research, surveillance, compliance and other functional areas work cooperatively as an integrated team. We foster open and collegial partnerships with our constituencies to respond to concerns and needs. We maintain a worker-friendly environment, foster initiatives, and value cultural diversity and nourish individual growth and professional development. Everyone exhibits pride in the organization, values and recognizes the contribution and accomplishments of each member of the CVM team, and demonstrates mutual trust and respect. The entire Center pulls in the same direction with purpose, harmony, and grace. We all live by, and our managers exemplify the Center's guiding principles. By recognizing the expertise of everyone, we inspire cooperative decision-making. All are empowered to participate in the development of policy as well as to take responsibility for making decisions within those policy boundaries.
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