Some people may want to know what the FDA does to help patients and consumers. The FDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, has taken the charge to have programs and systems in place that will effectively protect the public health. The FDA is in place to ensure the safety and security of drugs and medicines for both human and animal consumption. The FDA oversees the efficacy of human and veterinary medicines, drugs, medical devices, our food supply, biological products, products that emit radiation and cosmetics.