Which agency is primarily responsible for enforcing the FDCA?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the agency primarily responsible for enforcing the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA). The FDA safeguards public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of drugs, food products, and medical devices. This agency's jurisdiction covers a wide range of activities, including oversight of drug approval processes, regulation of food safety standards, and enforcement actions against violations of the FDCA.

The FDA has extensive authority to regulate the marketing and distribution of pharmaceutical products and to take necessary action in cases of non-compliance or unsafe products, emphasizing its critical role in protecting public health. The other agencies mentioned, while they play significant roles in public health and safety, do not have the same enforcement responsibilities under the FDCA. The EPA focuses on environmental protection, the CDC deals primarily with public health and disease control, and the NIH conducts biomedical research but does not enforce drug regulations.