Medtronic introduced two “on-demand” pacemakers
In 1967, Medtronic introduced two “on-demand” pacemakers, designed to avoid competition between paced beats and the patient’s own…
The Child Protection Act was passed by the US.. Congress
On Nov. 3, 1966, the Child Protection Act was passed by the U.S. Congress. The bill enlarged the…
Fair Packaging and Labeling Act required all consumer products in interstate commerce to be honestly and informatively labeled
In 1966, the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act required all consumer products in interstate commerce to be honestly…
The FDA licensed amantadine, a new antiviral medication, as a prophylactic against influenza A
In 1966, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensed amantadine (marketed as Symmetrel) to Du Pont, a…
FDA requested help in removing “X-33 Water Repellent” from the market
On Aug. 30, 1964, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested help in removing “X-33 Water Repellent”…
The anticancer drug Azidothymidine (AZT) was synthesized in Michigan Cancer Foundation’s chemistry lab
In 1964, the anticancer drug Azidothymidine (AZT) was synthesized in Michigan Cancer Foundationﾒs chemistry lab by Jerome Horwitz,…
The U.S. FDA approved vincristine, a sister drug to vinblastine
On Jul. 10, 1963, the U.S. FDA approved vincristine, a sister drug to vinblastine. The drug was established…
FDA issued regulations to implement the Kefauver-Harris drug amendments
On Jun. 20, 1963, the FDA announced three sets of regulations governing“ the manufacture, effectiveness and promotion of…
Jere E Goyan, PhD, became commissioner of food and drugs
On Oct. 21, 1962, Jere E. Goyan, Ph.D., becomes commissioner of food and drugs. Goyan was the first…
The Kefauver-Harris Drug Amendments were signed into law
On Oct. 10, 1962, the Kefauver-Harris Drug Amendments were signed into law by President Kennedy. The Legislation was…
Thalidomide-caused birth defects lead to strengthened drug regulation
On Jul. 15, 1962, Thalidomide, a new sleeping pill developed by the German company Gr�nenthal, was found to…
The National Congress on Medical Quackery convened in Washington, DC
On Oct. 6, 1961, the National Congress on Medical Quackery convened in Washington, D.C. sponsored jointly by the…
Congress authorized the SEC to conduct a study of fragmentation in the OTC market
In September 1961, U. S. Congress authorized the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to conduct a study of…
External D & C No 15 cleared for uses outside the body
On Jan. 10, 1961, External D&C No. 15, a red color additive widely used in cosmetics before it…
Last remaining source of the Hoxsey cancer treatment was eliminated by a federal court order
On Sept. 21, 1960, FDA officials announced the last remaining major source of the discredited Hoxsey cancer treatment…
Federal Hazardous Substances Labeling Act required prominent label warnings on hazardous household chemical products
On Jul. 12, 1960, the President approved the Federal Hazardous Substances Labeling Act, enforced by FDA, which required…
The FDA approved Enovid as the first oral contraceptive available in the US
In 1960, The FDA approved Enovid as the first oral contraceptive available in the U.S.
Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) was approved by the FDA
On Nov. 16, 1959, Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), an alkylating agent designed to improve the selectivity of cancer drugs, was…
A Thanksgiving holiday cranberry crisis was averted
On Nov. 9, 1959, at the instruction of Arthur S. Flemming, the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare,…
Basic amphetamine nasal inhalers become available only by prescription
On Feb. 10, 1959, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that nasal inhalers containing basic amphetamine can…
The first antiviral drug was developed at Yale
In 1959, William Prusoff of Yale University discovered idoxuridine, the first effective antiviral that fights herpes by interfering…
Biotechnology | Chemical | FDA | Therapeutics
FDA published list of nearly 200 “Substances Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS)
On Dec. 9, 1958, the U.S. Congress enacted the Food Additives Amendment to the Federal Food, Drug, and…
Food Additives Amendments were passed
On Sept. 6, 1958, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Additives Amendments were passed, requiring that…
The first Thalidomide birth occurred in Germany
On Dec. 25, 1956, the first Thalidomide birth occurred in Germany. Thalidomide, a new sleeping pill developed by…
FDA hired temporary investigators to prevent polio vaccine black market
On Aug. 17, 1955, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the hiring of 48 temporary investigators…
The first Citizens Advisory Committee held a meeting in Washington, DC
On Feb. 3, 1955, the first Citizens Advisory Committee met in Washington, D.C. to assess the effectiveness of…
HEW Secretary Oveta Culp Hobby appointed a committee of 14 citizens to study the adequacy of FDA’s facilities and programs
In 1955, HEW Secretary Oveta Culp Hobby appoints a committee of 14 citizens to study the adequacy of…
Hydroxychloroquine was approved for medical use in the United States
In 1955, Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was approved for medical use in the U.S. Chloroquine was discovered in 1934 by…
George P Larrick becomes Commissioner of Food and Drugs
On Aug. 12, 1954, George P. Larrick becomes Commissioner of Food and Drugs. In 1937, he was responsible…
First large-scale radiological examination of food carried out by FDA
In 1954, First large-scale radiological examination of food carried out by FDA when it received reports that tuna…