Pharmaceutical Since the US Food and Drug Administration was created in 1938 by then President Franklin D Roosevelt, its primary task has been to test drugs and approve them for sale, if they are found to be safe and effective, for the treatment of diseases and conditions they were meant to treat. Thus, “FDA approved” is a mark of safety and quality that patients and consumers can trust. Since the 1980s, the FDA’s task has evolved to also include the investigation and prosecution of counterfeit drugs. 14 May 2015