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…
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…
FDA | Life Science History | Polio | Vaccine
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…
Chemical | Dentistry | Diagnostics | Disease | Environmental | FDA | Life Science History | Therapeutics
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…
Biology | FDA | Life Science History | Medicine | NIH | Pharmaceutical | Therapeutics | U.S. Congress
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…