Bio
David A. Kessler
David A. Kessler, M.D., is the Dean of the School of Medicine and the Vice Chancellor for Medical Affairs at the University of California, San Francisco. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Kessler served for six years as the Dean of the Yale University School of Medicine.
Dr. Kessler, who served as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration from November 1990 until March 1997, was appointed by President George H. W. Bush and reappointed by President Clinton. As Commissioner of the FDA, he acted to speed approval of new drugs and placed high priority on getting promising therapies for serious and life-threatening diseases to patients as quickly as possible. He introduced changes in the device approval process to make it more efficient and ensure that it meets high standards.
Under his direction, the FDA announced a number of new programs, including: user fees for drugs and biologics; the regulation of the marketing and sale of tobacco products to children; and preventive controls to improve food safety.
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Encyclopædia Britannica Article
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1927, it inspects, tests, approves, and sets safety standards for foods and food additives, drugs, chemicals, cosmetics, and household and medical devices. It can prevent untested products from being sold and take legal action to halt the sale of undoubtedly harmful products or of products that involve a health or safety risk. Its authority is limited to interstate commerce; it cannot control prices nor directly regulate advertising except of prescription drugs and medical devices.
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on britannica.com
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