§393. Food and Drug Administration

(a) In general

There is established in the Department of Health and Human Services the Food and Drug Administration (hereinafter in this section referred to as the "Administration").

(b) Mission

The Administration shall-

(1) promote the public health by promptly and efficiently reviewing clinical research and taking appropriate action on the marketing of regulated products in a timely manner;

(2) with respect to such products, protect the public health by ensuring that-

(A) foods are safe, wholesome, sanitary, and properly labeled;

(B) human and veterinary drugs are safe and effective;

(C) there is reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of devices intended for human use;

(D) cosmetics are safe and properly labeled; and

(E) public health and safety are protected from electronic product radiation;

(3) participate through appropriate processes with representatives of other countries to reduce the burden of regulation, harmonize regulatory requirements, and achieve appropriate reciprocal arrangements; and

(4) as determined to be appropriate by the Secretary, carry out paragraphs (1) through (3) in consultation with experts in science, medicine, and public health, and in cooperation with consumers, users, manufacturers, importers, packers, distributors, and retailers of regulated products.

(c) Interagency collaboration

The Secretary shall implement programs and policies that will foster collaboration between the Administration, the National Institutes of Health, and other science-based Federal agencies, to enhance the scientific and technical expertise available to the Secretary in the conduct of the duties of the Secretary with respect to the development, clinical investigation, evaluation, and postmarket monitoring of emerging medical therapies, including complementary therapies, and advances in nutrition and food science.

(d) Commissioner

(1) Appointment

There shall be in the Administration a Commissioner of Food and Drugs (hereinafter in this section referred to as the "Commissioner") who shall be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(2) General powers

The Secretary, through the Commissioner, shall be responsible for executing this chapter and for-

(A) providing overall direction to the Food and Drug Administration and establishing and implementing general policies respecting the management and operation of programs and activities of the Food and Drug Administration;

(B) coordinating and overseeing the operation of all administrative entities within the Administration;

(C) research relating to foods, drugs, cosmetics, and devices in carrying out this chapter;

(D) conducting educational and public information programs relating to the responsibilities of the Food and Drug Administration; and

(E) performing such other functions as the Secretary may prescribe.

(e) Technical and scientific review groups

The Secretary through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs may, without regard to the provisions of title 5 governing appointments in the competitive service and without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, establish such technical and scientific review groups as are needed to carry out the functions of the Administration, including functions under this chapter, and appoint and pay the members of such groups, except that officers and employees of the United States shall not receive additional compensation for service as members of such groups.

(f) Agency plan for statutory compliance

(1) In general

Not later than 1 year after November 21, 1997, the Secretary, after consultation with appropriate scientific and academic experts, health care professionals, representatives of patient and consumer advocacy groups, and the regulated industry, shall develop and publish in the Federal Register a plan bringing the Secretary into compliance with each of the obligations of the Secretary under this chapter. The Secretary shall review the plan biannually and shall revise the plan as necessary, in consultation with such persons.

(2) Objectives of agency plan

The plan required by paragraph (1) shall establish objectives and mechanisms to achieve such objectives, including objectives related to-

(A) maximizing the availability and clarity of information about the process for review of applications and submissions (including petitions, notifications, and any other similar forms of request) made under this chapter;

(B) maximizing the availability and clarity of information for consumers and patients concerning new products;

(C) implementing inspection and postmarket monitoring provisions of this chapter;

(D) ensuring access to the scientific and technical expertise needed by the Secretary to meet obligations described in paragraph (1);

(E) establishing mechanisms, by July 1, 1999, for meeting the time periods specified in this chapter for the review of all applications and submissions described in subparagraph (A) and submitted after November 21, 1997; and

(F) eliminating backlogs in the review of applications and submissions described in subparagraph (A), by January 1, 2000.

(g) Annual report

The Secretary shall annually prepare and publish in the Federal Register and solicit public comment on a report that-

(1) provides detailed statistical information on the performance of the Secretary under the plan described in subsection (f) of this section;

(2) compares such performance of the Secretary with the objectives of the plan and with the statutory obligations of the Secretary; and

(3) identifies any regulatory policy that has a significant negative impact on compliance with any objective of the plan or any statutory obligation and sets forth any proposed revision to any such regulatory policy.

(June 25, 1938, ch. 675, §903, as added Pub. L. 100–607, title V, §503(a), Nov. 4, 1988, 102 Stat. 3121 ; amended Pub. L. 100–690, title II, §2631, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4244 ; Pub. L. 105–115, title IV, §§406, 414, Nov. 21, 1997, 111 Stat. 2369 , 2377.)

References in Text

The provisions of title 5 governing appointments in the competitive service, referred to in subsec. (e), are classified generally to section 3301 et seq. of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Codification

Another section 903 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act was renumbered section 904 and is classified to section 394 of this title.

Amendments

1997-Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–115, §406(a)(2), added subsec. (b). Former subsec. (b) redesignated (d).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 105–115, §414, added subsec. (c). Former subsec. (c) redesignated (e).

Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 105–115, §406(a)(1), redesignated subsecs. (b) and (c) as (d) and (e), respectively.

Subsecs. (f), (g). Pub. L. 105–115, §406(b), added subsecs. (f) and (g).

1988-Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 100–690 substituted "shall be responsible for executing this chapter and" for "shall be responsible".

Effective Date of 1997 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 105–115 effective 90 days after Nov. 21, 1997, except as otherwise provided, see section 501 of Pub. L. 105–115, set out as a note under section 321 of this title.

Effective Date

Section 503(c) of title V of Pub. L. 100–607 provided that:

"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this title [enacting this section and amending sections 5315 and 5316 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees] shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 4, 1988].

"(2) Section 903(b)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [21 U.S.C. 393(b)(1)] (as added by subsection (a) of this section) shall apply to the appointments of Commissioners of Food and Drugs made after the date of enactment of this Act."

Office of Minor Use and Minor Species Animal Drug Development

Pub. L. 108–282, title I, §102(b)(7), Aug. 2, 2004, 118 Stat. 905 , provided that: "The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish within the Center for Veterinary Medicine (of the Food and Drug Administration), an Office of Minor Use and Minor Species Animal Drug Development that reports directly to the Director of the Center for Veterinary Medicine. This office shall be responsible for overseeing the development and legal marketing of new animal drugs for minor uses and minor species. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $1,200,000 for fiscal year 2004 and such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year thereafter."

Regulations for Sunscreen Products

Section 129 of Pub. L. 105–115 provided that: "Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 21, 1997], the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue regulations for over-the-counter sunscreen products for the prevention or treatment of sunburn."

FDA Study of Mercury Compounds in Drugs and Food

Section 413 of Pub. L. 105–115 provided that:

"(a) List and Analysis.-The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall, acting through the Food and Drug Administration-

"(1) compile a list of drugs and foods that contain intentionally introduced mercury compounds, and

"(2) provide a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the mercury compounds in the list under paragraph (1).

The Secretary shall compile the list required by paragraph (1) within 2 years after the date of enactment of the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997 [Nov. 21, 1997] and shall provide the analysis required by paragraph (2) within 2 years after such date of enactment.

"(b) Study.-The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Food and Drug Administration, shall conduct a study of the effect on humans of the use of mercury compounds in nasal sprays. Such study shall include data from other studies that have been made of such use.

"(c) Study of Mercury Sales.-

"(1) Study.-The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Food and Drug Administration and subject to appropriations, shall conduct, or shall contract with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences to conduct, a study of the effect on humans of the use of elemental, organic, or inorganic mercury when offered for sale as a drug or dietary supplement. Such study shall, among other things, evaluate-

"(A) the scope of mercury use as a drug or dietary supplement; and

"(B) the adverse effects on health of children and other sensitive populations resulting from exposure to, or ingestion or inhalation of, mercury when so used.

In conducting such study, the Secretary shall consult with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and, to the extent the Secretary believes necessary or appropriate, with any other Federal or private entity.

"(2) Regulations.-If, in the opinion of the Secretary, the use of elemental, organic, or inorganic mercury offered for sale as a drug or dietary supplement poses a threat to human health, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations restricting the sale of mercury intended for such use. At a minimum, such regulations shall be designed to protect the health of children and other sensitive populations from adverse effects resulting from exposure to, or ingestion or inhalation of, mercury. Such regulations, to the extent feasible, should not unnecessarily interfere with the availability of mercury for use in religious ceremonies."

Management Activities Study

Pub. L. 102–571, title II, §205, Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4502 , directed Comptroller General to conduct a study of management of activities of the Food and Drug Administration that are related to dietary supplements of vitamins, minerals, herbs, or other similar nutritional substances and submit an interim report to Congress, not later than 6 months after Oct. 29, 1992, with a final report to be submitted not later than 12 months after Oct. 29, 1992.

Congressional Findings

Section 502 of Pub. L. 100–607 provided that: "Congress finds that-

"(1) the public health has been effectively protected by the presence of the Food and Drug Administration during the last eighty years;

"(2) the presence and importance of the Food and Drug Administration must be guaranteed; and

"(3) the independence and integrity of the Food and Drug Administration need to be enhanced in order to ensure the continuing protection of the public health."