Which federal agency oversees the regulation of food, drugs, and medical devices in the United States?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the federal agency responsible for overseeing the regulation of food, drugs, and medical devices in the United States. Its primary mission is to protect public health by ensuring that these products are safe, effective, and properly labeled. The FDA conducts rigorous scientific evaluations and reviews before products are approved for market use, enforces compliance with regulations, and monitors products once they are on the market to ensure ongoing safety and efficacy.

The agency also plays a critical role in setting safety standards, enforcing laws related to consumer protection, and facilitating innovation in the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors, making it a key player in the medical and public health landscape. As opposed to other agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency, which focuses on environmental protection regulations, or the Federal Trade Commission, which deals mainly with consumer protection and antitrust laws, the FDA's specific mandate encompasses food safety, pharmaceuticals, and medical device regulation. The National Institutes of Health, on the other hand, primarily conducts and supports medical research and does not oversee the regulation of products in the market.