What is the main focus of the FDCA?

The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) primarily focuses on regulating the safety and effectiveness of food, drugs, and cosmetics in the United States. Established to ensure that products are safe for consumption and effective for their intended use, the FDCA provides the framework for the approval process of new drugs and the regulation of food items and cosmetics to protect public health.

This regulation includes evaluating the safety of ingredients used in foods and cosmetics, as well as ensuring that drugs marketed to consumers are both safe and effective based on scientific evidence. The enforcement of the FDCA falls primarily under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which conducts reviews, inspections, and compliance monitoring to uphold these standards.

In contrast, while the FDCA does provide some oversight of dietary supplements, it is more narrowly focused on the regulation of food and drug safety. Managing veterinary medications is also a part of the FDA's responsibilities, but it is not the main focus of the FDCA, as this act encompasses a broader range of food and drug safety issues. Additionally, controlling drug pricing is not a function of the FDCA; rather, it falls under economic policies and market regulations outside the scope of this specific law.