Collaboration between FDA and USP officially began on June 30, 1906.  Section 7 of the Federal Food and Drugs Act of 1906 cited the standards of the Pharmacopeia of the United States and the National Formulary as those that would be used by the Bureau of Chemistry to measure standards of strength, quality, and purity of medicines. USP VIII was reprinted in 1907 to honor this new citation in the law. The FDA–USP relationship was reinforced in 1938 with the passage of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act that continued to cite USP standards and added those for packaging and labeling.

In addition to legal recognition, collaboration between these two important public health organizations has existed throughout the century in many other ways, including scientific cooperation and shared leadership. Hundreds of FDA employees have worked with USP to establish standards by participating as members of USP’s Expert Committees and its ad hoc Reviewer and Observer Programs.  In addition, many former FDA officials have served as USP volunteer leaders, including FDA founder Harvey Wiley, who served as USP President from 1910 to 1920. Former FDA Commissioners Jere Goyan, Arthur Hull Hayes, and Jane Henney also served as USP volunteers. Shared staff leadership has included Joseph Valentino, Jerome Halperin, and Roger L. Williams.

This poster explores the collaborations between FDA and USP and honors the scientists and leaders who have worked together to advance the public health for 100 years.