The FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine is responsible for ensuring that animal drugs and medicated feeds are safe and effective for their intended uses and that food from treated animals is safe for human consumption. Before a new animal drug can be marketed in the U.S., it must be approved by the FDA on the basis of quality, safety, and efficacy. When the drug is for use in food-producing animals, not only must the safety to the animal be demonstrated, but also the safety of food products derived from the treated animals that are intended for human consumption.

Once approved products are on the market, the Center monitors the use of the products through surveillance and compliance programs.

One of CVM's highest priorities is assuring the safety of the food supply through elimination of violative residues in meat and milk. And, because of that work and the cooperative efforts of all FDA employees, the United States can boast the safest food supply in the world.

The responsibilities of the Center for Veterinary Medicine have a direct effect on the safety of the human food supply and on the safety to animals of veterinary products. CVM works to educate consumers as well as the regulated industry; evaluates data on proposed veterinary products carefully before permitting them to be marketed; discovers violative marketed products through surveillance programs and initiates legal action, if necessary, to bring violators into compliance with the law; and conducts research to support Center activities.

Whether developing and disseminating information, approving animal drug products for marketing, monitoring marketed animal drug products, or conducting research, CVM is committed to the important goal of protecting animal and human health throughout the United States -- working together to keep the country's food supply the safest in the world.

The management staff is primarily responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation of the Center. They oversee the setting and implementation of its goals and direction. They also manage such functions as budget, personnel matters, training for employees, data processing, document maintenance, and the dissemination of information regarding the Center's mission to other Centers within FDA, other government agencies, and the public.

The pre-marketing staff determine whether or not a drug should be approved for marketing. Pre-marketing reviewers study data submitted by drug sponsors to determine if submitted data are adequate to support a drug's approval for marketing.

The post-marketing staff monitor marketed animal drugs, food additives, and devices to assure continuing safety and effectiveness. They also process legal cases brought against violators by the Center.

The research staff in CVM conduct studies to support both pre- and post-marketing activities by providing information to aid CVM scientists in the review and decision-making processes.

A closer look at each of the four groups (and the Director's Office) will show how they interact to accomplish FDA's mission.

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