For more information about The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) approval for drugs, medical devices and biologics, visit www.fda.gov. The FDA’s new mission statement says that the agency is responsible, inter alia, for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation; for advancing the public health by helping to speed innovations that make medicines and foods more effective, safer, and more affordable; and helping the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medicines and foods to improve their health. The site offers:
Hot Topics on the site include: BSE (“Mad Cow Disease”), Ephedra, Imported Drugs, Counterterrorism, Bioterrorism Act, Counterfeit Drugs, and Buying Medicines Online. The information about online prescriptions contains tips and warnings for consumers. For example, purchasing online from an illegal Web site puts the purchaser at risk. He or she may receive a contaminated or counterfeit product, the wrong product, an incorrect dose, or no product at all. Additional risks include potentially dangerous drug interactions and other serious health consequences.
