DRUG LEGISLATION IN THE UNITED STATES. 



FEDERAL LAWS. 



CONDITIONS EXISTING PEIOR TO LEGISLATION IN 1848. 



Previous to the enactment of the Federal law in 1848 governing 

 the importation of adulterated and spurious drugs, medicines, and 

 chemicals, various, forces were at work endeavoring not only to min- 

 imize this dangerous practice, but also to expose fraudulent dealings 

 in medicinal agents of home production. 



One of the chief objects of establishing the Philadelphia College 

 of Pharmacy, 1821, was " To direct attention to the quality of drugs 

 brought into the market." The New York College of Pharmacy had 

 for a series of years called attention to the fact " that large quantities 

 of sophisticated and misnamed chemical and pharmaceutical prepa- 

 rations were daily imported." 



The American Medical Association also exerted a powerful influ- 

 ence in bringing about legislation which would tend to prevent the 

 importation of fraudulent medicinal agents. In order to clearly set 

 forth the conditions existing previous to the enactment of the Federal 

 law, House Report No. 664 of the Thirtieth Congress is freely quoted. 



[House Report No. 664, Thirtieth Congress, first session, to accompany 'bill H. R. 524.] 

 IMPORTED ADULTERATED DRUGS, MEDICINES, ETC. 



June 2, 1848, Doctor Edwards, from the select committee to whom the sub- 

 ject was referred, made the following report: 



The select committee to whom was referred the subject of imported adul- 

 terated drugs, medicines, and chemical preparations report : 



That in accordance with the requisition of your honorable body your com- 

 mittee directed their attention to the subject referred to them. They have 

 received through the House numerous petitions and memorials from physicians, 

 druggists, and other citizens of the various cities and States, which set forth, 

 as facts, the importation and sale of vast amounts of adulterated, misnamed, and 

 vitiated medical agents used in general practice medicines familiar to and 

 used by all, and which hold a close relation to the well-being and health of the 

 entire community. 



Communications of such importance, emanating from sources so respectable, 

 could not but receive our careful consideration. As a specimen, we subjoin the 

 petition and memorial of the American Medical Association, which assembled 

 in Baltimore during the present month. A body of more highly gifted or honor- 

 able men has never assembled for any purpose. Deeply impressed with the 

 importance of the subject, they ask at the hands of Congress legislative action 

 as the only effective means of relief. The petition is as follows: 



"The memorial of the American Medical Association, consisting of delegates 

 from the several States in the Union, at their annual meeting in Baltimore, 



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