Description
A history of the Food and Drug Administration, now the nation's most important regulatory agency. Journalist Philip J. Hilts shows how the agency combats self-serving political and industrial interests and enforces rigorous scientific standards in order to protect American consumers from hazardous medicines, medical devices and foodstuffs. He also observes that FDA regulation, far from stifling innovation--as critics feared--has actually accelerated it.
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In this history of the Food and Drug Administration, Philip J. Hilts analyzes the century-long, continuing struggle to establish scientific standards as the basis for policymaking on food and drugs. The agency, which emerged out of the era of the robber barons and Theodore Roosevelt's desire to "civilize capitalism," was created to stop the trade in adulterated meats and quack drugs. In addition to highlighting the essential role the FDA plays in making sure that food and drugs are safe and effective, Protecting America's Health shows that FDA regulation, far from stifling innovation--as critics feared--has actually accelerated it.
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