Basic amphetamine nasal inhalers become available only by prescription
On Feb. 10, 1959, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that nasal inhalers containing basic amphetamine…
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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…
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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…
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Food Additives Amendments were passed
On Sept. 6, 1958, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Additives Amendments were passed, requiring that…
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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…
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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…
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The first Citizens Advisory Committee held a meeting in Washington, DC
On Feb. 3, 1955, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) first Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) met in…
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FDA | Life Science History | NIH | Polio | U.S. Congress
HEW Secretary Oveta Culp Hobby appointed a committee of 14 citizens to study the adequacy of FDA’s facilities and programs
In 1955, Oveta Culp Hobby, the first Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) appointed a committee of…
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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…
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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…
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First large-scale radiological examination of food carried out by FDA
In 1954, first large-scale radiological examination of food carried out by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when…
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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 Dava Pharmaceuticals’ methotrexate oral tablet, an…
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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….
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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…
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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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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…
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Disease | FDA | Life Science History | Medicine | Oncology | Pharmaceutical | Radiology
Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase verified genes were made of DNA
In 1952, Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase conducted a series of experiments at the Carnegie Institute of Washington…
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of antibiotics on animals
In 1951, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of antibiotics on animals. In 1943, farmers…
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The FDA approved nitrogen mustard (mechlorethamine) to kill cancer cells
In 1949, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved nitrogen mustard to kill cancer cells. The major use…
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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,…
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CDC | FDA | Life Science History | Vaccine
Combination diphtheria and tetanus toxoids for pediatric use was first licensed in the U.S.
In 1947, a combination diphtheria and tetanus toxoids for pediatric use was first licensed in the U.S. After…
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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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Chemistry | 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…
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Penicillin Amendment required FDA testing and certification of safety and effectiveness of all penicillin products
In 1945, the U.S. Congress passed the Penicillin Amendment, modeled on the earlier Insulin Amendment. The former required…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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….
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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…
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Influenza vaccine developed to protect U.S. military forces
In 1938, Thomas Francis, Jr., MD and Jonas Salk, MD served as lead researchers at the University of…
