Under the FD&C Act, the FDA's broad mandate includes safety and effectiveness of which areas?

• A. Drugs (including animal drugs), devices (including veterinary devices), and the safety of the food supply
• B. Cosmetics and dietary supplements
• C. Veterinary services and farming practices
• D. Education programs and public health campaigns

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that the FDA’s authority under the FD&C Act covers areas where safety and effectiveness must be demonstrated or ensured. Drugs (including those used for animals), and devices (including veterinary devices), require evidence of safety and effectiveness before they reach the market. The safety of the food supply is another core responsibility, ensuring products entering the food system are safe for consumers. Cosmetics and dietary supplements are regulated by the FDA as well, but they do not have the same premarket requirement to prove effectiveness; cosmetics are regulated for safety and labeling, and dietary supplements are regulated as foods with safety and labeling rules but without the same premarket proof of effectiveness. Therefore, the broad mandate that best fits is the one that includes drugs, devices, and the safety of the food supply.