The FDA approved methotrexate, an antimetabolite derived from folic acid, and 6-mercaptopurine as anticancer drugs
On Dec. 7, 1953, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved methotrexate, an antimetabolite derived from folic…
Factory Inspection Amendment required FDA to give manufacturers written reports of conditions observed during inspections
In 1953, the U.S. Congress enacted the Factory Inspection Amendment which clarified previous law and required the U.S….
The Supreme Court ruled the factory inspection provision of the 1938 FDC Act was too vague to be enforced
On Dec. 8, 1952, in U.S. v. Cardiff, the Supreme Court ruled that the factory inspection provision of…
FDA consumer consultants appointed in each field district to maintain communications with consumers
In November, 1952, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) consumer consultants were appointed in each field district to…
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Dr. William Hammon conducted the first placebo-controlled field trial of gamma globulin in Provo, Utah
In September 1952, Dr. William Hammon conducted the first placebo-controlled field trial of gamma globulin that, in just…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of antibiotics on animals
In 1951, the FDA approved the use of antibiotics on animals. In 1943, farmers in the U.S. found…
The FDA approved nitrogen mustard (mechlorethamine) to kill cancer cells
In 1949, the FDA approved nitrogen mustard to kill cancer cells.
FDA published guidance to industry known as the “black book”
In 1949, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published guidance to industry for the first time. This guidance,…
The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation articles of incorporation were signed
On Aug. 3, 1946, the articles of incorporation were signed by Governor Roy J. Turner that established the…
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fluoride First Used in U.S. Public water Supply
On Jan. 25, 1945, at 4:00 p.m., Grand Rapids, Michigan, achieved a historic milestone by becoming the inaugural…
Disease | FDA | Life Science History | Medicine | Vaccine
Paul B. Dunbar, PhD, became Commissioner of Food and Drugs
On May. 1, 1944, Paul B. Dunbar, Ph.D., becomes Commissioner of Food and Drugs. His tenure as commissioner…
Chemotherapy was first used to treat a cancer patient
On Aug. 27, 1942, chemotherapy was first used to treat a cancer patient and the beginning of its…
Insulin Advisory Committee announced the development of a USP Reference Standard for insulin
On Dec. 1, 1941, in response to the emergency need for insulin standards, the USP formed an Insulin…
U.S. Congress passed the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
On Jun. 25, 1938, the U.S. Congress passed the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with new provisions….
The Federal Trade Commission was charged with overseeing advertising associated with products otherwise regulated by FDA
In 1938, under the Wheeler-Lea Act passed by the U.S. Congress, the Federal Trade Commission is charged with…
U.S. Congress investigated the Elixir Sulfanilamide tragedy that poisoned more than 100 people
On Nov. 16, 1937, the U.S. Congress directed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to give a full…
A bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate to overhaul the 1906 drug law
On Jun. 12, 1933, a bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate by New York Senator Royal S….
The FDA recommended a complete revision of the obsolete 1906 Food and Drugs Act
In 1933, the FDA recommended a complete revision of the obsolete 1906 Food and Drugs Act. The first…
McNary-Mapes Amendment to the Pure Food and Drugs Act was passed
On May 7, 1930, the McNary-Mapes Amendment to the Pure Food and Drugs Act was passed. The so-called…
The name of the Food, Drug, and Insecticide Administration was shortened to Food and Drug Administration
In 1930, the name of the Food, Drug, and Insecticide Administration was shortened to Food and Drug Administration…
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The Supreme Court ruled that the Food and Drugs Act condemned every statement on a product’s label that may mislead or deceive
On Jun. 2, 1924, in U.S. v. 95 Barrels Alleged Apple Cider Vinegar, the Supreme Court ruled that…
The Harrison Narcotic Act required prescriptions for products exceeding the allowable limit of narcotics
On Feb. 14, 1924, the Harrison Narcotic Act required prescriptions for products exceeding the allowable limit of narcotics…
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William Mansfield Clark alerted the public to the dangers of tetraethyl lead in gasoline
In 1923, William Mansfield Clark from the U.S. Department of Agriculture alerted the public to the dangers of…
Dr. Harvey Wiley, “Father of the Pure Food and Drugs Act,” resigned as chief of the agency that became FDA
On Mar. 15, 1912, Dr. Harvey Wiley, “Father of the Pure Food and Drugs Act,” resigned as chief…
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The Supreme Court ruled the 1906 Pure Food and Drugs Act does not prohibit false therapeutic claims
On May 29, 1911, in U.S. v. Johnson, the Supreme Court ruled that the 1906 Pure Food and…
The Bureau of Chemistry seized a worthless product called Johnson’s Mild Combination Treatment for Cancer
On Apr. 13, 1911, U.S. v. Johnson, the Supreme Court ruled against the government, finding that the product’s…
President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Pure Food and Drug Act
On Jun. 30, 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Pure Food and Drug Act, and the meat inspection…
Upton Sinclair’s book ‘The Jungle’ was published
On Feb. 27, 1906, Upton Sinclair’s book The Jungle was published. The book gave graphic descriptions of the…
Association of Official Agricultural Chemists established a Committee on Food Standards
In 1899, Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (now AOAC International) established a Committee on Food Standards headed by…
Biology | Chemical | FDA | Life Science History | Medicine
Dr Harvey W Wiley becomes chief chemist, expanding the Bureau of Chemistry’s food adulteration studies
In 1883, Dr. Harvey W. Wiley becomes chief chemist, expanding the Bureau of Chemistry’s food adulteration studies. Campaigning…