ABSTRACT
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the principal agency of the U.S. government for protecting the health of all Americans. One of its eleven divisions is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA activities are complex and challenging, and must be continually changing to meet societal needs and expectations. This entry provides a brief overview of the FDA’s activities, with the understanding that careful study and analysis may be needed to fully adhere to the science, technical, and legal conditions that underlie the FDA’s actions.
