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Pure Food and Drug Act
This legislation prevented “the manufacture, sale, or transportation of adulterated or misbranded or poisonous or deleterious foods, drugs or medicines, and liquors.” It also charged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with the regulation of consumer products. -
Federal Trade Commission founded
The FTC was originally founded to prevent unfair methods of competition in commerce as part of the battle to “bust the trusts.” Over the years, additional laws have given the FTC authority to administer consumer protection across multiple fields, including the regulation of medications transported over state lines. -
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
In the wake of a therapeutic disaster in which an untested ingredient within a drug resulted in the death of over 100 people, this law brought cosmetics and medical devices under the control of the FDA, and it required that drugs be labeled with adequate directions for safe use. Moreover, it mandated pre-market approval of all new drugs, such that a manufacturer would have to prove to FDA that a drug were safe before it could be sold. -
Durham-Humphrey Amendment
This amendment of the 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act drew a clearer legal distinction between prescription-only and OTC drugs, and authorized the FDA to classify drugs accordingly. Many important drugs could be sold only by prescription from a licensed practitioner -
Kefauver-Harris Drug Amendments
Thalidomide, a new sleeping drug, causes severe birth defects in thousands of babies in Europe, however the FDA medical director at the time helped prevent approval and marketing of the drug in the USA. This news spurred public support for more stringent drug laws. These laws require drug makers to prove their drug works before the FDA can approve them for sale. -
Patient Package Insert
In 1970, the FDA began requiring prescription and non-prescription medication to come in child-resistant containers. They also required that medications must come with information for the patient about the risks and benefits. -
Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act
In order to combat the illegal use of drugs, President Nixon signed this Act into law, regulating the manufacture, distribution and dispensing of drugs that have a potential of abuse. The founding of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) soon followed in 1973 to help combat the misuse of drugs. -
Occupational Safety and Health Administration founded
After the signing of the Occupational Safety and Health Act in 1970, OSHA was founded. Part of its charge is to ensure public safety regarding contamination, storage, disposal, and public exposure to medication risks. -
Federal Anti-Tampering Act
This law was designed to combat, deter, and punish individuals who tamper with food, drug, cosmetic and other products with intent to cause personal injury, death, or other harm. -
Health Insurance Portability Privacy and Accountability Act Reforms Take Effect
Originally signed into law in 1996 by President Clinton, HIPAA reforms took effect during the first decade of the 21st Century. HIPAA mandates the protection of patient information and confidentiality by all health providers involved.
