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  1. Congressional Testimony

Testimony | In Person

Event Title
Oversight of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
April 11, 2024

Testimony of
Robert M. Califf, M.D., MACC

Introduction

Chair Comer, Ranking Member Raskin, and members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify before you to discuss the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA or the Agency) policies and priorities.

In the United States, the safety of medical, food, and cosmetic products depends on the actions of both FDA and industry. Industry bears the responsibility of creating a supply of medical, food, and cosmetic products that are safe and protect and promote public health. FDA guides and oversees industry to help ensure that Americans can have confidence about the medical, food, and cosmetic products they are using and that they are duly warned about the risks of tobacco products. 

FDA’s workforce is dedicated to helping Americans face extraordinary challenges and navigate extraordinary opportunities. We are responsible for protecting the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices; and by ensuring the safety of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. FDA also has responsibility for regulating the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of tobacco products to protect the public health by reducing death and disability caused by use of tobacco products, especially in young people. In addition, the Agency is charged with advancing the public health by helping to expedite innovations that make medical products more effective, safer, and more affordable and by helping the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medical products and foods to maintain and improve their health. FDA also plays a significant role in the nation’s counterterrorism capability by ensuring the security of the food supply and by fostering development of medical products to respond to deliberate and naturally emerging public health threats.

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