Which agency is responsible for ensuring that medications do not cause harmful side effects?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the agency responsible for overseeing the safety and efficacy of medications, which includes evaluating whether medications cause harmful side effects. The FDA reviews clinical trial data submitted by pharmaceutical companies to assess the potential risks associated with new drugs before they can be marketed to the public. This process involves rigorous testing and monitoring to ensure that the benefits of a medication outweigh any potential risks.

In contrast, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention focuses primarily on public health and disease prevention, rather than the regulatory approval of medications. The Environmental Protection Agency is concerned with protecting human health and the environment, primarily dealing with environmental pollutants and substances, while the National Institutes of Health conducts and supports medical research but does not have the regulatory authority over medication approval.