Understanding the Regulatory Pathways Used to Develop, Evaluate, Authorize, and Approve New Drugs and Vaccines in the United States

J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2024 Jul 12;13(Supplement_2):S93-S102. doi: 10.1093/jpids/piae036.

Abstract

The United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees the safety and quality of drugs and vaccines that are used in the U.S. Administration of the FDA falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The regulatory oversight of the FDA is complex and comprehensive, requiring the various roles and responsibilities to be divided across six main centers. The activities of two of these centers, the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) and the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) are the primary focus of this review.

Keywords: CBER; CDER; FDA approval process; phases of clinical trials; vaccine development.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Drug Approval* / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Drug Development / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Humans
  • United States
  • United States Dept. of Health and Human Services
  • United States Food and Drug Administration*
  • Vaccines* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Vaccines